Comics UK

HAIL THRONG!

For those wanting an insight into the history of `Sparky` comic, me new `upgraded` file now cometh via year-by-year chapters. Followed by a complete log of every strip and each issue it appeared in! This, full episode log, is - I believe, the first time this has been done for `Sparky`

As the 1965 chapter is the biggest (24 pages on word) I may have to post it in segments, which would be a shame! Please do point out errors - i'm only human (I know `coz I looked!) and there must be some I missed!

Here we go!

THE SPARKY FILE. 23 January 1965 – 23 July1977.

(Or, “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About `Sparky` Comic, But Were Afraid To Ask!”)

This revised and greatly expanded `Sparky File` will correct (I hope!) those errors in my earlier abridged article. This version is more detailed on dates where possible and far more comprehensive in description where possible, of adventure stories in the comics early years.

I have striven to list every issue number and date where a strip begins and ends in the comic. I have also supplied names of artists where possible and of writers, who are far harder to gain details on. This latter data comes via the folks on the `Comics UK` site who I have credited at the end of this article. Their help has been invaluable and I thank them fully.

The years 1966 and 1967 were awkward for a while, but I now have a majority of issues from both years, plus my memory, to work on – though there are a couple of minor gaps in both. However, I do think this is the `definitive` guide to the history of Sparky comic so far.




* *


SPARKY, The `Forgotten` comic.


Now, almost forgotten, apart from those devout fans such as members of the `Comics U.K board (like myself) `Sparky comic, when remembered, is thought of as the `odd-man-out` in the stable of D.C Thomson `fun` comics. I have voiced my opinions rather strongly about certain `strips` in the comic and of what I felt was an utter naivety regarding the portrayal of ethnic races. Hopefully, these `opinions` won’t mar readers enjoyment of the data provided –too much!

Sparky comic was the last of the D. C Thomson big five fun titles to appear on 16th (though cover date was the 23rd) January 1965; and the first to founder on 16th July 1977. Its twelve year life seems to be poorly recalled by many U.K comics’ aficionados, one example being Graham Kibble White who has sadly got virtually all his factual data incorrect concerning Sparky in the small chapter on it in his book.

I hope to give readers as comprehensive as possible history of Sparky comic and its assorted strips, both `fun` and `adventure` Sparky comic has been sadly neglected by many comic historians, here’s hoping that the balance can be redressed somewhat.

I am informed by those most able folks on the `Comic’s UK` site that the comic was set up by the `Boy’s and Girl’s comic department of D. C Thomson rather than the juvenile department which `Dandy, Beano, Topper and Beezer` originated from. I’m not sure what difference that makes, but that is how it originated.

The comic had a different look to its strips as many of the artists had not worked on those sisters `fun` papers. The first Editor was Willie (Bill) Mann who had previously helmed `Victor` comic. Sparky in its early years carried strips that featured surrealistic themes not seen in the other Thomson stable of comics. There was also a high preponderance of animal themed adventure strips in the first two and a half years of its life. On the whole, it seemed to be aiming at a slightly younger audience (to 1969) than companion papers, `Dandy`, `Beano`, `Topper` or `Beezer`, but a bit older than the` Bimbo` comic readership.

It possessed a mixture of `fun` strips, which were, at one or two pages, simply drawn (in comparison with the `adventure strips) and the `adventure` strips which were drawn to a higher degree of artwork; these were almost always two page efforts. The comic also ran a text (with some illustrations) strip for its first few months.

The `file` consists of a year-by-year survey 1965 to 1977, followed by a special `events` of each year, Politics, Sport, Music etc. Then there is a chapter regaling my experiences with the numerous free gifts that I collected when the comic underwent it’s many (nine) revamps, when trying to boost it’s none too healthy sales. Of course, there were actually ten separate free gift/ promotion weeks from the comic if you count the comics initial launch with free gifts. That initial launch, isn’t technically a `revamp` though, hence my stating nine!

Finally, there is an appendix section which lists the `adventure & fun` strips in table form an in depth look at the nine `promotions` the comic undertook, and a personal guide to anyone interested in collecting old issues of the comic.

Anyhow, that’s enough introductions, now on with the show!




* * *





1965. The new comic is launched. `Hungry Horace` `Keyhole Kate` Dreamy Dave & Dozy Dora` The Moonsters` Etc!


Sparky No 1 entered the market on Friday 16th January 1965. The cover date was 23rd January; but all U.K comics were dated a week ahead of publication. These `week ahead` dates were for newsagents to know when to take unsold issues (when the date arrived) off the shelves and return them to D.C Thomson for pulping.

Sadly, the date of Sparky comic’s first issue turned out to be one of the worst cases of bad timing in a commercial sense. Why? Well, also coming on sale the very same day was City Publications title “T,V 21” It was rather like the Monkees pop group releasing their “Headquarters” LP at the same time as Beatles “Sgt Pepper”. Sparky comic was quite overshadowed by the flashier TV 21 and this inauspicious start did not auger well for its sales.

As well as television advertisements, D.C Thomson also sent out card displays and publicity `fliers` and `solicitation` sheets for newsagents to display, advertising the new comic. Another aid to Sparky’s entry into the marketplace was fellow Thomson titles, `Dandy` and `Beano` issues of 9th January 1965, both carrying four page `pink flier` inserts that advertised the new Sparky comic. I had the Dandy one at the time and have recently bought (on E.Bay) the Beano edition with `pink flier`

As stated, `both` comics (Sparky and TV 21) had been advertised just after New Year’s Day 1965 on the telly. The Sparky ad showed scenes of youngsters playing with the free gift, the “Flying Snorter”. This was a yellow balloon with a flattened red coloured air hole which let the air out in sort of controlled way to give a rasping sound! You blew it up, and let if go, and there it went, rasping away till all the air inside was depleted. Sparky No2 gave away the `Big Banger` and No3 the `Red Racketty`

I was only allowed one of either `Sparky` or `TV 21` and though I was a big fan of `Stingray` and `Fireball XL5` etc, I chose `Sparky` (I bet I was in the minority there!) My Mom bought me the new comic (I was nine years of age in early 1965) The “Snorter” was great fun indeed! Wish I’d kept it. Anyhow, this was the start of a long and happy association for me with Sparky comic. In fact, I had purchased (and later bought myself) all but four Sparky’s (and kept them) to about June / July 1971. Oh! How I wish I’d hung on to them to this day as it would have saved me much money in recollecting them in the past two years.

At a cost of 5d (old pence) it was 2d dearer than Dandy or Beano; but it had a page content of 24 pages instead of 16 as with Dandy, Beano or the A3 sized Topper and Beezer (they were 5d in mid 1960s prices too). Unlike Dandy and Beano, who increased their price (to 4d) in 1968, Sparky stayed at 5d right up to issue 281, 1st August 1970 when it increased to 6d. Friday was the day Sparky came out and it stayed Friday until late 1969.

The comic was aimed at a slightly younger readership than Dandy or Beano for the first three or so years of its life.

At the time, I didn’t know Sparky had updated many old 1940s strip and conceived new adventures using old characters! My Mom wasn’t pleased with the content, but I begged her to please continue buying it as I was quite happy with it.

By 1967 I was buying the comic (and Dandy, Pow & Smash) with my pocket money. Friday’s was Sparky day and after school, I would have my tea, then I would change out of my school clothes and dash to my local newsagents (With my street clothes on of course!) For my Sparky!

The covers (first & last pages) and the middle ones were always in full colour.
Pages 2, 11, 14 and 23 were always a mix of Red, Black and White. All other pages were in monochrome.

The `Sparky` Logo was curved similar to the `Dandy`. Colours of Logo were the same as Dandy too. The word Sparky was in bright red on a yellow surround. This was complimented by a royal blue background which made it an identical colour scheme to the Dandy.

My early favourites were “Flubberface” (the friendly monster), “Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora” (whose dreams led to wonderfully surreal adventures). I also liked the “Jeff Ye Jolly Jester” strip too! In all, I thoroughly enjoyed my Sparky comic each Friday. After reading, I would store my Sparky along with my Dandy’s and other comics in my wall set clothes store! No sunlight got in, so they were in superb condition.

Pause For Thought Spot.

The `Sparky` character was drawn by Ron Spencer and then Jimmy Glenn. He has caused some debate in his years as `cover` star regarding his supposed race and colour. Only issue seven gave a hint to this in his treatment, but I can see why he is deemed Non P.C today. Speaking personally, I find two 1970s `L. Cars` episodes were far worse in this respect. The `Comics Britannia` series theorised that many staff at Thomson’s grew up in the era when Britain had an empire and celebrated `Empire Day` thus, many on the comic could not help in seeing foreigners as `inferior` to the British.

I could; and do to some extent, understand this mind-set up to the mid 1960s; but by the 1970s I can see no excuses for comics still having such an ignorant outlook as I see it.

* *

The comic was a repository for old Beano and Dandy strips such as Pansy Potter, Keyhole Kate, Ma Jolly and her Brolly, Hungry Horace, Freddie the Fearless Fly, Frosty McNab, Black Jack the Sweep, Stone age Steve, Dick Turpentine, Peter Piper, Hairy Dan etc! They all seemed very old fashioned to me even though these were `updated` versions. `Dick Turpentine` and `Hairy Dan` were drawn by Basil Blackaller and `Stone age Steve` by Robert MacGillivray; I am afraid that I just do not rate their work at all.


`Hungry Horace` and `Keyhole Kate` were drawn by George Drysdale who would sadly pass away in 1967. George also drew the `Me and my Grockle` strip in 1966/67. Horace was a lad with a tremendous appetite and that was basically the premise of the strip! How it lasted to the comic’s finale beats me, but it did!

Kate was out of date even back in 1965. I could not understand how anyone could look through keyholes of front doors as on the estate where I lived they all had Yale locks. That’s the only sort of keyholes there were! I am similarly amazed this strip lasted as long as it did in the comic.

Another `reborn` character was `Freddy the Fearless fly` drawn superbly by Albert Holroyd. His adventures saw him evading his enemy `Snider the spider` and fellows like `Melvin the mosquito` and `Harry horsefly` Freddie only lasted into 1966.

Thankfully, some new strips such as `Flubberface` and the Moonsters were also included. The wonderfully surreal `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` which occupied the middle two pages (in colour) was perhaps the best of the early strips.

`Flubberface` and `Jeff Ye Jolly Jester` were drawn by Bob Webster. He would also draw strips `The Slowdown Express`, `Fireman Fred` and from 1966, the Pansy Potter` strip, taking over from Bill Hill who had drawn her from 1965.

`Flubberface` lived in a lake (though he could visit the coast as well!) he was about 40 foot long and most friendly indeed! He did try to keep himself out of sight from adults, but happily aided any young children, or other persons, if they were in any sort of trouble. Though I never noticed it at the time, the strip did make some very poignant ecological points when humans would sometimes `pollute` Flubberface’s environment! In that sense, it was a most forward looking strip.

Frosty McNab, Black Jack, and Stone age Steve all vanished by issue eight, Dick Turpentine last rode out in issue 12, Ma Jolly ended at issue 17 and Hairy Dan to issue 29. In my estimation, these strips were not very interesting; though I do recall enjoying the `Dick Turpentine` effort quite a bit.

“Joe Bann and his Big Banjo” as drawn by Bob Webster, was the wild west adventures of, Joe Bann and his horse, who he called “Hoss” back in the days of the old west. Joe was an amiable fellow who carried a large banjo as he liked a bit of music! Joe’s banjo was of great help to him on those all too frequent occasions when he encountered, `rustlers` `hustlers` `bushwhackers`, hostile red Indians (or “Injuns” as Joe called them) plus the odd wild animal, cougars, bull’s etc!.

Yes! Joe’s banjo had a multiple of uses, some of which were actually pretty unbelievable really. I can’t say I really rate it too highly, but it wasn’t too bad a strip in my estimation, just not very memorable.

“Jeff Ye Jolly Jester” lived in medieval times in a society that somehow acquired television, helicopters, cars etc! It was very daft, but enjoyable. Jeff was a quick witted fellow who dealt with crooks, witches, bullies by using his wits.

The comic had a letters page titled “Write to Sparky” and also a puzzles and conundrums page.

Sparky comic never enjoyed the sales of Dandy or Beano; in fact Topper and Beezer seemed to better it here as well. The comic seemed to be the `oddball` of the Thomson output and really struggled to find an identity or a loyal readership!

The first two years plus of the comics life saw the unusual mode of `strip rotation` which meant that strips such as `Flubberface` `Minnie Ha-Ha`,`Joe Bann` `Freddie the Fearless Fly` and `Jeff Ye Jolly Jester` were taking turns to appear. No wonder the comic struggled early on as it was difficult to get readership identification with characters if they didn’t appear every week! In fact, this bizarre practice was still in operation in late 1967-early 1968, rotating the `Pansy Potter` and `Tom Tardy` strips.

The rotation system affected all fun strips except for `Sparky`, `Winnie the Witch`,`The Moonsters`, `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora`, `Hungry Horace` `Cuckoo in the Clock` and `Keyhole Kate`; who were the only regular weekly fun strips.

The `Moonsters` began in issue No2. We see that Penny and Peter Pleasant are about to land on the Moon. The reason for this strange state of affairs was that Peter had pressed a button when they were visiting an exhibition of space rockets! This one being seemingly full of fuel and able to fly and land itself safely on the lunar surface! If only the USA knew of such a British rocket!!

Anyhow, Penny and Peter were greeted by the very friendly green skinned `Moonsters` once they disembarked and settled down to a fun filled life on the Moon.

The Moonsters strip was in the style of the early Beano comic fun strip, the `Bash St Kids` when that strip was titled `When the Bell Rings` circa 1954. Similar to the `Bell Rings` strip, the Moonsters had one or two (sometimes none!) small panels leading to one large panel featuring several of the Moonsters trying vainly to achieve that weeks subject. It soon became obvious this Moon had oceans, forests, and many other similarities to Earth. Until the late 60s `space-race` this lack of scientific accuracy didn’t matter much. It was drawn by Bill Ritchie.

Other `fun` strips were `Minnie Ha-Ha, and Running Kick, her pet talking Raven` the fun adventures of a young Red Indian squaw and her talkative pet. It is believed this strip was a French import with new English dialogue, though I can’t be certain of this.

There was `Cuckoo in the Clock` which, like `The Moonsters` began in issue No 2 and was drawn by one of two female artists on the comic, Laura Gold (Pamela Chapeau was the other on `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora`) This was about a wooden, but living clock cuckoo who would often leave his clock to get up to mischief! He lived with a family, Father, Mother and the two children. Cuckoo had two nemeses, the neighbour’s cat that often caused Cuckoo some hard times, and the children’s nasty cousin Cedric who Cuckoo always thwarted!

No one was supposed to know that Cuckoo was alive, though Mom did see him flying on one occasion. This was explained to her that she was obviously `seeing things` as you do! Cuckoo also often had `run –in’s with real birds, and once, a live cuckoo laid an egg in his box to the families amazement! It was a lovely `fairy-tale` style strip which I enjoyed very much indeed.

There was `Hockey Hannah` The fun adventures of a schoolgirl and her hockey stick. It wasn’t a very inventive strip which centred on Hannah’s stick! Sometimes it was a help to her, other times it got her into trouble. It now looks very dull stuff indeed and I must admit that I barely recall it at all from when I first read it. The strip was drawn by Andy Tew.

One character who I do recall when making his debut in issue, No 3 was `Peter Piper`. The strip began with Peter taking a stroll in a park. Suddenly two bullies began picking on him (a regular hazard for `fun` characters). A nearby statue of Pan came to life and scared the bullies away (never?). Pan then gifted Peter his set of pipes. He told him they would bring any icon to life; be it statue, sculpture or any drawing if he blew the pipes at them.

This done, Pan popped back on his plinth and became a statue once more (sans pipes). Only years later did I find out that Peter Piper was an old `Magic` comic character. I am afraid I still haven’t discovered the identity of the first Sparky `Peter Piper` artist who penned the strip to early 1966.

Yet another old two characters updated were `Pansy Potter` the strongman’s daughter and `Nosey Parker` (drawn by Bill Hill), an interfering old busybody. They often shared one page split between them.

Nosey Parker was forever sticking his nose into other peoples business to his own detriment. He never seemed to learn. One nasty aspect of this strip was when `Nosey` tried to do genuine good deeds, e.g., picking up litter, and suffered for his pains. Not a good concept to present to readers at all in my view. He departed after issue 29, 7th August 1965 for over a year till issue 83, 20th August 1966; but Pansy Potter stayed as one of the `rotated` strips.
Pansy Potter was strong due to being a strongman’s daughter-but, very oddly, in later episodes, she proved to be superhumanly strong whereas her dad was just moderately so! Pansy’s last appearance before her `resurrection` in `Sparky` was in the 1960 Beano book, sporting her old `spiky top` hairstyle. For a few years, to August 1969, she sported a small `exclamation mark` style on her forehead before reverting back to her `spiked` look in mid 1969.

Now! Here is an example of a very early `Sparky` line-up, in fact it is issue No1 itself!



SPARKY No 1. (23 January 1965, 5d)

Page 1
This displays it is the first issue along with a picture of the free gift inside, the `Flying Snorter`

Page 2
`Joe Bann and his Big Banjo` The comic adventures of Cowboy Joe Bann and his all-purpose Banjo! (This page in Red, Black & White)

Page 3
`Keyhole Kate` I had no idea, that Kate was an old character, now updated.

Pages 4 & 5
`The Young Castaways` This lovely adventure story concerned two babies from a shipwreck who were raised by friendly occupants of a South Seas island. Drawn by the artist (Tony Speer) who would later sketch Invisible Dick`.

Page 6
`Jeff Ye Jolly Jester ` The comic adventures of medieval Jester, Jeff!

Page 7
`Hockey Hannah` The comic adventures of a schoolgirl and her hockey stick. This is one strip I have virtually no recollection of at all!

Pages 8 &9
`Wee Tusky` Adventure strip, light hearted, which was about a young Elephant and his life in the jungle of south Asia. The Sparky comic had a real taste for animal based stories in its early years.

Page 10
`Hungry Horace` This was the only strip to be ever present from Sparky No 1, to 652 (final issue). At the time I had no idea he was an old Dandy character.

Page 11
Top half, `Free gift` next week, the `Big Bang`. Bottom half, “Write to Sparky” and win a transistor radio.

Pages 12 & 13
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` One of my favourites; I loved the early adventures which could get really surreal. Unlike later stories, the early ones did not often ` turn into nightmares! In their first adventure they stop a feud between the `thinnies` and the `fatties` by cooking a meal both can enjoy! (In full colour)

Page 14
`Minnie Ha-Ha, and `Running Kick` her Talking Raven` French import which displays the comic adventures of a young Red Indian Squaw, and her pet `talking` Raven; `Running Kick`. (In B/W & Red.)

Page 15
`Sparky’s Puzzles` As it says, a page full of puzzles. Maze, spot the difference, etc.

Pages 16 & 17
`The Kidnapped Kidds` A very strong (for 1965) story of two children who witness a train robbery and are subsequently held captive by the crooks. This was pretty gutsy stuff for Sparky! Gang leader Gus is not averse to physical violence to children or of holding his gun to their heads. I have no idea; but I would not be surprised if parents complained about this strip.

Pages 18, 19 and top half of 20
`The Palace of Secrets` This was a text story, along with a few illustrations, concerning the adventures of young Mary at the palace of Kra. This story is definitely aimed at female readers.

Page 20 Bottom half
`Nosey Parker` Yet another old character revived, this time from 1920s `Rover` comic. `Nosey Parker` is a `busybody` who cannot leave things, or people alone! He nearly always gets the worse end of his actions. Unfortunately, on the odd occasion Nosey tries to do genuine good, he also got clobbered! Not a good message to send out to young readers I say!

Page 21
`Flubberface` Here we have the adventures of a large, but friendly lake dwelling beast. This was one of my early favourites from the comic.

Page 22
`Freddy the Fearless Fly` Yet another rejuvenated old character put out to see if there was more life in. Again, I had no idea he was an old character until my Mother stated so. Freddie was drawn by Albert Holroyd who was a very gifted artist. This helped the strip a lot I think.

Page 23
Top third `Dick Turpentine` The hopeless highwayman.
Middle third `Stone Age Steve` The comic adventures of a caveman.
Bottom third `Hairy Dan` “Dan’s hairy chin will make you grin” crowed the caption; not me it didn’t! These three strips were drawn by artists who had been at Thomsons for many a long year; and goodness me, it showed! They were very dated strips in look indeed. Only the `Dick Turpentine` strip ever raised a chuckle with me. Page 23 was drawn in black, red and white).

Page 24
`Sparky` Here was the title character of the comic; a young black boy living in the U.K but dressed as though still in darkest Africa! This first adventure saw Sparky delivering meats etc for a butcher. Amazingly, his dialogue was similar to the 1930s, 40s `Bamboo Town` strip with “Ma” instead of “My” and “Am” instead of “Is”. Thankfully, someone saw sense at the comic and this `cod` language was dropped after this outing! The strip would transfer to the cover page from next week.

The bottom two inches of page 24 saw a three picture preview of next week’s new `fun pals` `Pansy Potter`, `The Moonsters` and `Cuckoo in the Clock`. All page 24 in colour.

* * *

A very varied comic indeed! I had no idea that some strips were updated adventures of old characters. The `Kidnapped Kidds` was very strong stuff indeed! The text story was for girls only in my view! I looked forward to next Friday’s comic.

The `Young Castaways` strip is etched in my memory. It ran from the first issue to No 16, dated 8th May. The story featured on two babies who barely survived the sinking of the yacht their mother and father seemingly perished on.
The babies were washed up on the Indian Ocean island of Akavu. They were found by the friendly natives who took care of them. The native leader, Queen Lemba, had worked as a nurse in Australia and had after some years had returned to the island she was born on.

The Queen taught the babies as they grew to children, English and gave them the names Mark and Marina. The youngsters believed their parents must be dead as did the Queen who looked after them as best as she could.

Mark and Mary had many adventures on the island. One day Mary was badly injured by a falling tree and though Lemba had some medical knowledge, she knew that a surgeon must operate on the child to save her. The island was often visited by a plane from nearby Australia and a message was relayed regarding Marina’s condition. A surgeon, Mr Maxwell, agreed to fly to the island.

Amazingly, the surgeon turned out to be the Childs father! Both he and their mother had survived and both had believed their children had drowned. It all ended happily with Mark and Marina finding out their real name was Charles and Mary Maxwell. The strip was drawn very ably by Tony Speer. He would later draw the very long running, and (to me) repetitive `Invisible Dick` strip.

Running from issue No 1 to No 15, 1st May 1965, was a story that was anything but `fey` or `twee` (to belay Graham Kibble’s claims). `The Kidnapped Kidds` saw two children John and Mary Kidd, witness a train robbery. They are caught by the husband and wife leaders of the gang, Gus and Betty.

Gus in particular is a very nasty piece of work. In episode seven he hits young John severely across the face. The tenth episode has the very harrowing sight of Gus walloping John with his trouser belt, a scene no fun comic today would dare display. This was no `Dennis the Menace` type spanking, it was graphic child abuse! Gus also holds the gun to the children’s head on more than one occasion. The final time he did this in issue 15 when the police have them cornered, Betty comes to her senses and knocks his arm away and the children are then rescued.

It was a very hard hitting strip which was drawn by artist David Ogilvie who succeeded admirably in giving Gus a very cruel look indeed. Had this story been mooted for inclusion a few months later it may not have been accepted for publication due to the real life horrors of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

As it was, it still stands today as the most harrowing adventure strip in the comic’s history, in fact, this strip is probably the most `harrowing` piece ever in a `fun` comic. It really is a dark and shocking offering indeed! Nothing like it was ever attempted again and I think that maybe concerned parents wrote to the editor about the content and the fact of the `Moors Murders` hitting the headlines just after publication of the story must have given D.C Thomson pause for thought.

But now! Let us take a look at the line up of issue No 2!



SPARKY No 2, (30 January 1965, 5d)

Page 1
(Cover) Heading “Free Inside `Big Banger` (it was one of those `Crack-Bang` efforts which the brown paper always split after about three `bangs`
Sparky clears the snow with his Vacuum cleaner, hitting a policeman with a burst of cleared snow. (Full Colour)

Page 2
`Joe Bann and his Big Banjo`.

Page 3
`Keyhole Kate. `

Pages 4 & 5
`The Young Castaways`

Page 6
`Cuckoo In The Clock` Comic adventures of a wooden, but living, Cuckoo. A beautifully weird premise this, with `Cuckoo` keeping the secret that he was alive from his owners.

Page 7
`Hockey Hannah`

Pages 8 & 9
`Wee Tuskey`

Page 10
`Hungry Horace. `

Page 11
Adverts for next weeks free gift, the `Red Racketty` and for a choice of Ten shilling postal order or a transistor radio if readers wrote to the comic and letter was published. B/W & Red.

Pages 12 & 13
Dreamy Dave and Dozy DoraThis issue sets Dave and Dora to rescue the children of Hamlin Town. In full colour.

Page 14.
`Minnie Ha-Ha`
Page 15 `Sparky’s puzzles`

Pages 16 & 17
`The Kidnapped Kidds` The Kidds woes continue as they are still in the captivity of the cruel `Gus` and his gang.

Pages 18 & 19 and top half of 20. `The Palace of Secrets` Page 20, bottom half.
The Editor and the rest of the Sparky staff introduce Pansy Potter to the readers, stating she will begin her adventures from next week’s issue. I think this was possibly the best of the `reactivated` old characters, especially once Bob Webster took over drawing the strip.

Page 21
`Jeff Ye Jolly Jester `.

Page 22
Freddie the Fearless Fly.

Page 23
Top third, `Frosty McNab` A sort of `Jack Frost` character.
Middle third, `Grandma Jolly and her Brolly`
Bottom third, `Black-Jack` Chimney Sweep. You could tell these were old characters because, though the stories were contemporary, they were drawn in 1940s style. Even to me then, they looked terribly old fashioned! It was a strange move by the staff and `Frosty` and `Black-Jack` departed very quickly. (Black, Red and White).
Page 24
`The Moonsters`. In issue No2 Penny and Peter Pleasant are about to land on the Moon. Peter had pressed a button while he and Sister Penny were exploring at the Rocket Ship exhibition (as you do). They land safely and are greeted by little green `Moonster` people who lay on a big feast for their Earth visitors. Note! One of the Moonsters has pointed `Spock-like` ears. This was not apparent in later adventures.

The final three inches of page 24 consisted of adverts for next weeks new pal `Peter Piper`. Also, the comic asks “Have you written to Sparky Yet?” All page 24 in full colour.

* *

A possibly controversial (by today’s standards) front cover story was issue No 7 dated 6th March, Page 1. Cover `star``Sparky` gets pushed into vats of coloured paint (for snooping) Police can’t scrub all the colours off, so they paint the rest of him with black paint!! If a comic did that storyline today, there is a chance they might face prosecution!

There was a surfeit of animal based strips early on. Some were humorous such as `Wee Tusky` (young Burmese elephant), `Kipper feet` (young walrus) both drawn by Jack Monk, and `McGinty’s Goat` (regimental mascot) drawn by Bob Webster. Others were more serious in tone such as `Watch` who was a Newfoundland rescue dog, and `Rory` the horse of many masters. There were fifteen of these animal themed stories from the comics inception to September 1967, a case of `overkill` me- thinks!

`Wee Tusky` (which was an old `Dandy` strip originally) ran from issue No 1 to No 22, 19th June 1965. It relayed the `fun` adventures of a young Burmese elephant. Wee Tusky had a higher I.Q than many humans if any of the `adventures` are to be believed! At the conclusion of the first series, Tusky was captured by a hunter looking for animals for his circus. Tusky was replaced, in issue No 23 by `Kipper Feet` who was a young walrus. It was basically the same style of nonsense; both strips were drawn by the same artist, Jack Monk.

`Kipper Feet` left for good on issue No 34, 11th September, being replaced by another stint of `Wee Tusky`. This time the adventures of the small but highly intelligent pachyderm were set in Britain as Tusky travelled with his kindly owner’s circus. The second series of `Tusky` only lasted eight issues to No 42 dated 6th November 1965.

The far more serious strip `Watch` drawn by George Radcliffe which concerned the adventures of a Newfoundland rescue dog at a 19th Century fishing community, stands up far better today. It had many well executed storylines and is enjoyable to me on current reading. The family `Watch` stayed with were cousins of Lighthouse keeper Mr Darling and his daughter Grace. Some episodes featured brave sea rescues by Watch as the heavy storms wrecked shipping. It ran from issue No 16, 8th May, to No 35, 18th September 1965.
The comic also had a text strip `The Palace of Secrets` from its first issue to No 14, 24th April. It was most certainly aimed at girl readers. Briefly, it was set in the Middle Ages at a European court in a land called `Kravia`. The Queen was too shy to meet her subjects (as can happen!). Young gypsy girl, Mary is found to be a near identical double to the Queen and is persuaded to take her place until the Queen can conquer her fears.

Unknown to Queen and Mary, certain courtiers are set on assassinating the Queen which puts Mary’s life in danger as they do not know it is actually Mary they are targeting. It all ended happily with the villains foiled, the Queen regaining her confidence and Mary `adopted` by Queen and court, and falling in love.

Replacing this text story in issue No 15 was another text story `Will O` the Well`. This was a bizarre effort about a pixie like boy who lived at the bottom of a wishing well (and never got wet!); who granted wishes to whoever threw coins into the well and made a wish. Will spent all money `earned` on ice lollies.

Those wishing unselfishly on behalf of others fared best, while those wishing with selfish or cruel intentions got their wish; but in a manner that taught them a lesson! It was a very inventive series and an early favourite of mine. Will was certainly no ordinary boy, for in one story when he was asked (by the local school teacher) if he should be at school. After assuring the man he `was` past leaving age Will reflected to himself ironically that if the teacher (Mr Gregg) knew that Will was over 100 years old it would astound him.

Will had magical powers to make events happen, to appear and disappear as he wished; and in one of the 1966 picture strip series, he could outrun a speeding car. No wonder being able to live underwater was no problem for him!

I was sad to see the text stories of `Will` end at issue 25, 10th July as it helped my reading ability and made me use my imagination to great effect. `Will` did return in comic strip form from No 53, 22nd January 1966, but that wasn’t as successful as the text story as the text leant to the imagination being used. The cartoon version only lasted to issue 59, 5th March 1966, a mere seven issues!

Yet another comedy based animal strip was `McGinty the Goat` drawn by Bob Webster who also drew the `Joe Bann` fun strip. This strip was the fun adventures of a very aggressive Army regimental mascot. My nomination as possibly the worst animal styled story of all time. For me, it is just so poor. It ran from issue No 17, 15th May, to issue 29, 7th August 1965, fifteen issues.

Now, let us take another look at a 1965 line up; this time from issue No 20.



SPARKY No 20, (5th June 1965, 5d)

Page 1
`Sparky` joins a brass band.
Page 2
`Joe Bann and his Big Banjo`

Page 3
`Keyhole Kate`

Pages 4 & 5
`Watch` The Victorian period adventures of a Newfoundland rescue dog and the fishing community he worked for. One of the more serious animal based stories in Sparky and quite a good effort indeed.

Page 6
`Hockey Hannah`
Page 7
`Freddie, the Fearless Fly`

Pages 8 & 9
`McGinty the Goat` The fun adventures of a regimental mascot. For me, this was one of the worst examples of how very poor many of the `fun` animal stories in the comic were.

Page 10
`Sparky’s Puzzles`

Page 11
`Cuckoo in the Clock`

Pages 12 & 13
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` This week the twins meet a king who never smiles.

Page 14
Top half, `Pansy Potter` Bottom half, `Nosey Parker`

Page 15
`Write to Sparky`

Pages 16 & 17
`Wee Tusky`

Pages 18, 19 & top 2/3 of page 20
`Will O’ the Well` Delightfully inventive text strip about a strange elf-like boy who lives in a well and grants wishes to whosoever throws coins into the well and makes a wish.

Page 20 Bottom 1/3
`Hairy Dan` Another updated old character. Unbelievably old-fashioned stuff!

Page 21
`Hungry Horace`
Page 22
`Jeff Ye Jolly Jester`

Page 23
`Minnie-Ha-Ha! And her talking Raven`

Page 24
`The Moonsters`


* *

The comic also gave readers two sci-fi, alien invasion adventures in 1965. The first titled `Raiders from the Red Planet` was a `blink and you’ll miss it` affair commencing in issue 30 (14 August 1965) to issue 34 (4 September) just five episodes! It was in black and white and drawn by the artist who drew the 1965 `Peter Piper` strip. The `Martians` themselves, looked identical to humans in every way (except for their space suits).

These Martians were armed with `gas` guns that could immobilise. They also set up parabolic shaped devices that operated as `heat` rays. Thankfully for the human race, the Martians were susceptible to the common cold, so that as in `The War of the Worlds`; mankind’s saviour was a microbe.

In issue 35 (11 September 1965) the far better `The Year of the Vanaks` appeared in colour on the middle pages (bumping Dreamy Dave and Dora to black and white).

The strip looked like it could be a reprint from an earlier Thomson comic as it has a 1950s look to it. There were three different classes of Vanaks. The humanoid types were small (about four foot) fellows who were bright purple and possessed large bulbous (and bald) heads with pointed ears. Their robotic counterparts were cylinder like creations, also around four feet in height that were red, blue or black depending on rank. Seemingly, some of the cylindrical fellows could hover above the ground. The third, rarely seen Vanaks were large cumbersome humanoid shaped Robot types, crimson in colour. These `third` Vanak types were the very highest ranking of their kind and only appeared when ever a `crisis` occurred.

The Vanaks were armed with weapons that fired either green paralyzing rays or red death beams. Most of the earth had been conquered by the Vanaks in a surprise attack, before nuclear weapons could be utilised.

However, a resistance movement gathered itself together and slowly the Vanaks weaknesses were uncovered. They could be immobilised themselves if their green rays were transmitted at a slightly higher frequency. This was achieved by humanity by turning a Vanak world link-up television broadcast against them.

Earlier, it had been discovered that the aliens were very susceptible to wasp stings, dying in seconds on receiving stings. The humans then concocted formic acid devices (Wasp stings are basically formic acid) to use against them. Rather unnecessarily, a fatal Vanak susceptance to shrill whistles was also added to the mixture which really did stretch credibility just a bit too far. Despite such flaws it was still an entertaining strip which ran to issue 56 (12 February 1966).

Issue No 25, July 10th 1965 saw the addition to the comic of `fun` strips Winnie the Witch` and `The Slowdown Express` `Winnie` became a weekly regular while `Slowdown` went into the rota system after issue 65 in 1966. There was also a new `adventure` strip that issue too, `Riddle of the Roughlands`. Issue 25 was the only occasion that more than two new strips were introduced (this case, three) outside of `free gift overhauls`.

The `Slowdown Express` fun strip, drawn by Bob Webster was a bit of an anachronism in that it was strange that the comic run a strip about a steam train service just as they were ending in real life. It was a frantic affair which featured the most accident prone train and crew in railway history! Had it ever been privatised, they would have gone bankrupt in a week!

`Winnie the Witch` featured the fun adventures of a novice witch. Sometimes Winnie would play mischievous tricks on humans, which mostly backfired on her due to her inability to control her `magic` properly. The same result applied when she tried to be helpful! Winnie would often fall foul of her boss, titled the Chief Witch in her adventures. Sadly, the artwork on this strip wasn’t very eye catching to me at all.

As mentioned earlier, issue No 25 dated 10th July 1965 saw the debut of the Enid Blyton styled `Riddle of the Roughlands`. This story featured youngsters Frank and Pat Freeman encounter smugglers while on holiday on a area called the `Roughlands`.

They encounter a young lady that they think is part of the gang, but it turns out that she is an undercover policewoman who rescues the children and their dog `Nip`. With her help, the smugglers are captured in issue No 34, 11th September.

The following week of 17th July, issue 26, there commenced an adventure strip that mixed education with adventure. `Lonely Wood` featured youngsters Dick and Cherry Grainger who helped their father who was a warden for a nature reserve called `Lonely Wood`.

The strip often gave many interesting details on wildlife and flora and fauna of the region. I learned many interesting facets of the natural woodland from this strip. It was actually a three page strip except for the final episode of the first series, which marks it as unique in Sparky comic `adventure` strips which were two page affairs except for when the odd three page episode popped up in some of these. The only other strip to have a constant three page run similar was the `fun` strip `I. Spy` which enjoyed a continuous three page run through 1970-71.

The `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` fun strip which inhabited the two centre colour pages through September 1965 produced some of the best and innovative surreal stories I have ever seen in any comic. Many of the early and most surrealistic stories were drawn by Pam Chapau. As with the characters in the 1935 film `Peter Ibbotson` Dave and Dora` would always experience each others dreams. An example of how inventive this format could be is the example from issue No 30 (14th August 1965)

Dave and Dora are in their beds trying to sleep, but they just cannot nod off! They imagine sheep, and lo and behold! A flock of sheep appear in their bedroom. They have to imagine up a shepherd to remove the sheep. They realise that whatever they think of will appear so they think up an elephant.

It fills their bedroom so they `think` it smaller and then into a porcelain figure. Enjoying this power of thought, they then think themselves onto the seaside. However! All the people on the beach laugh at them as they are still in their pyjamas.

Upset at this derision Dave and Dora think everyone away! Now finding themselves alone on the beach they don’t care for it and Dora wonders if it will rain. It then does to Dave’s chagrin! Dave wishes they were back in their beds and so they are-but! They are both in their beds on the beach with rain falling on them. Before anything else happens they are being woken up by their Mother who tells them it is time for school. Dave and Dora realise they had been dreaming about `not` being able to sleep all along!

Other themes were trips by rocket to the centre of the earth. Adventures at the end of a rainbow, trip in a time machine. Visits to the places where time and weather are made. There were also trips to a reverse `Topsy-Turvey` world, to the land of lost children and other strange dimensions. Another bizarre adventure from 1966, saw Dave and Dora travel to the Sparky office, meeting many fellow comic characters on the way, to help `Sparky` himself in preparing next weeks comic! Delightful!!

Storylines such as these made this strip a truly captivating read and one of the early successes from Sparky comic. I loved the more surrealistic plots very much indeed. Other artists took turns in drawing the strip in rotating order through 1966 to 68; these were James Malcolm, George Ramsbottom, Ian Makay, Ian Judge and more entries from Pam Chapau.

Despite serving up such interesting offerings (to me at least!) the comic was struggling sales wise. By late 1965 sales were obviously sluggish so the first of many promotions took place. Thomson’s paid for some television advertising and sent out solicitation leaflets and display cards to newsagents to publicize this, the first of nine free gift promotions by the comic, 1965 to 1974. There were also `pink fliers` in the `Dandy` and `Beano` comics as well as one in Sparky issue No 34 highlighting the promotion.

This first revamp was possibly, the third largest overhaul in the comic’s history (only the 1967 and 1969 changes were more comprehensive) changing five `adventure` strips, four in issue 35, the other in No 36.



SPARKY No 35 (18 September 1965, 5d)


This issue saw something quite a hefty `re-vamp` to the comic. Issue 35 saw the first Logo change. It was the colour red in the word Sparky, which now changed place with the yellow surround. Hence, Sparky in yellow on a red surround. The blue background stayed the same though. The `Sparky` character strip and `The Moonsters` swapped front and back cover places from this issue up to issue 140.
The comic gave away a free gift; the `Squeezy Wheezy` balloon.

Page 1
`The Moonsters`. They swapped places with the `Sparky` character, who now took over the back page. The Moonsters decide to make a film.

Page 2
`Keyhole Kate`

Page 3
`Peter Piper`

Pages 4 & 5
`New Story`. `Gilpin, the Lost, Lost Boy`. A strange offering this! Set in the 16th century, it concerned the adventures of a `sprite` (Gilpin) who had a spell placed upon him (by whom it was never revealed) that compelled him to become the servant of the first mortal he met. Gilpin looked human except for his large eyes. He possessed some magical powers to help him in his tasks. He finally achieved his aims and was no longer `lost` which is more than can be said for many a puzzled young reader of this strip.

Page 6
`Hungry Horace`

Page 7
`Winnie the Witch`

Pages 8 & 9
`Wee Tusky`

Page 10
`Write To Sparky`

Page 11
Top two thirds are an advert for next week’s free gift, the `Spin Din` (illustrated). The bottom third of the page showcases both this weeks new stories `The Year of the Vanaks` and `Gilpin, the lost boy`, with a panel from next weeks adventures in both.

Pages 12 & 13
`New story`, `The Year of the Vanaks`. This was another space invasion, but in a much more serious mode. In full colour, we see an advance guard of crimson robots who prepare the earth populace for the arrival of their masters; the Vanaks!. These turn out to be about four foot tall with large bulbous heads. They are bright purple in colour.

Page 14
`Cuckoo in the Clock`

Page 15
`Sparky’s Puzzles`

Pages 16 & 17
`Watch` This was the final episode.

Pages 18 & 19
`New story`, `The Flood that Mother remembers`. This story featured a coastguard and his family who were stationed in Southampton in 1953. I think it was loosely based on the true story of the great flooding of 1953.

Pages 20 & 21
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` The pair find themselves in `Topsy-Turvey` land. For the first time, the strip was moved away from the centre pages and was now illustrated in black and white.

Page 22
`Freddy the Fearless Fly` Bottom of the page “Next week; Jeff Ye Jolly Jester”.

Page 23
` The Slowdown Express`

Page 24
Top three quarters, `Sparky` Who was now on the back page. Bottom quarter of the page was devoted to illustrated advert for next weeks new story `Floating Along, Singing a Song`. The adventures of a musical family; who live on a canal barge.

* *

Issue 35 was the first in a series of `re-vamps` for the comic through the sixties. It probably gave away more free gifts 1965 to 1974 than any other Thompson comic in this period. My guess for this move was due to none too healthy sales. Here is a list of new strip and those replaced over weeks of 18th and 25th September 1965. All were adventure strips, no change in `fun pals`.

New Strips Introduced, issues 35 & 36, September 18th & 25th 1965.

In

`Gilpin, the Lost, Lost Boy` (2 Pages)

`The Year of the Vanaks` (2 Pages)

`The Flood That Mother Remembers` (2 Pages)

`Floating Along, Singing A Song` (2 Pages)

`Wee Tusky`* (2 Pages) * = Returning Strip.

Out

`Lonely Wood` (2 Pages)

`Kipper Feet` (2 Pages)

`Raiders from the Red Planet` (2 Pages)

`Watch` (2 Pages)

`Riddle of the Roughlands` (2 Pages)


There were five new `adventure` strips over issues 35 and 36, these were `Year of the Vanaks` `Wee Tusky` on his second run in Sparky. `The Flood that Mother Remembers` and `Gilpin the Lost, Lost Boy` in issue No 35 and `Floating Along, Singing a Song` in issue No 36.

The `Gilpin the Lost, Lost Boy` strip which began in issue No 35 was a pretty surreal affair indeed! Readers were introduced to Gilpin as he addressed readers bemoaning his plight! A spell had been cast upon him (Bizarrely, readers never found out just who did `enchant` Gilpin) so that he must be the servant of the first human he encountered. Gilpin was what was known as a `sprite`, an elf-like creature, but not of the water variety.

He encountered Henry Cranstoun and insisted he become Cranstoun’s servant! The power in his eyes made Cranstoun accede to this. Gilpin’s task was to bring about a marriage between Cranstoun and young lady Mary Scott. The Cranstoun and Scott families had been at war for years and only such a marriage could bring about peace.

A major problem for Gilpin was Mary’s mother, Lady Janet Scott. She was a witch who could read Gilpins thoughts. She was against any peace between the families as the war suited her purpose. It ran to issue 49, 25th December, when Gilpin eventually worked things to a happy resolution.
`The Flood That Mother Remember` which also commenced in issue 35; was loosely based on real life flooding that had happened in the 1950s. The strip also mixed in a smuggling theme to liven things up a bit! It was drawn by Tony Speer. It ended issue 47, 11th December 1965.

As previously mentioned, “The Year of the Vanaks” was also part of the new intake along with a second series of the comedy adventures of young Burmese Elephant “Wee Tusky”.

Issue 36 brought the strip `Floating Along, Singing a Song` to readers. It concerned a family who travelled the country on the `Nancy Lee` canal barge. The children formed themselves into an amateur pop group who entertained towns and villages they stopped at. They were followed by two mysterious characters that seemed like villains. The `villains` turned out to be friendly and informed the children that one of them was actually heir to a Dukedom! To me, it was most unlikely fare, but enjoyable; it was drawn by Edward Drury and also finished in issue 47.

Issue No 43 brought us `The Downside Donkeys` which concerned a donkey reserve owned by the father of Mick and Cathy Murphy. Two silver donkeys they had purchased were wanted by foreign crooks, which was the base of the story. Rather dull stuff to me. Tony Speer took artistic duties on this one. This story lasted to issue 52, 15th January 1966.

In the 18th December issue, No 48, yet another animal based story commenced. `Goldie` was a golden eagle who became a pet of sorts to children, Steve and Betty Martin. It ran to issue No 61, 19th March 1966 and for me was utterly tedious! Yet again Tony Speer helmed the pens and pencils.

Also in issue 48 was `Lost Children of the Forest` which was set in the Second World War. Linda and Barry wrights London home is destroyed by a bomb and they believe their parents were killed in the blast. The homeless children team up with fellow orphans Peter, Robin and Sue Miles.

All try to survive in the New Forest region but find it very tough going. Salvation comes when they discover their parents had indeed survived the blast! They and their new friends make a new life away from London. It lasted to issue No 55, 5th February 1966.

1965 wasn’t quite the roaring success that had been hoped for the new comic as a fairly comprehensive overhaul with free gifts had to be promoted in September that year.

I certainly felt the `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` middle pages strip was easily the best of the 1965 `fun` strips with `Flubberface` another I very much liked.

Of the `adventure` strips, `The Kidnapped Kidds` was easily the most dramatic, and `The Young Castaways` the most memorable. Text strip, `Will O’ the Well` was very inventive and surreal. Sadly, the `comedy` animal based strips were poor fare to me.
The new comic had survived its first year though and entered 1966, hoping for better sales. It was to be a tough struggle though!


* *

EVENTS OF 1965!


Yes! What else was happening in 1965, the year that `Sparky` comic entered the market place?

In the world of politics, 1965 saw the death of Winston Churchill and the suspension, for a trial period of five years, of the death penalty. The Vietnam War began to escalate greatly in 1965. Rhodesia declared unilateral independence thereby incurring the UK Government’s imposition of sanctions, which were easily circumvented. In the US President Johnson forced through his bill of `Civil Rights` which outlawed segregation in the Southern States.

In sport, the football league division one champions were Manchester United who won the title on goal average from newly promoted Leeds United. F.A cup winners were Liverpool who beats Leeds 2-1 after extra time in a truly dull match.

Grand Prix champion was Jim Clark (for the second time) who also became the first non US competitor in over 50 years to win the Indianapolis 500.

Music: and the Beatles were awarded M.B.E’s. They only scored the third largest selling single though in 1965 (they had scored biggest selling singles in 1963 & 1964) with “We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper” even though it went over 1.200.000. Beating it to second highest UK selling single of 1965 with 1.300.000 was “The Carnival Is Over” by the Seekers (The only other UK million selling group song apart from the Beatles the full decade!)

Amazingly, the year’s best selling UK single was a revival of a 1929 Rudy Valee song titled “Tears” by Liverpool comedian, Ken Dodd. His version sold over 1.500.000 by years end (and 1.600.000 by August 1966).

Top selling UK LP was actually a late 1964 release, “Beatles For Sale” closely followed by the groups “Help” LP in August 1965.

The Rolling Stones scored top selling US single with “Satisfaction” Top selling US LP of 1965 was the `Mary Poppins` soundtrack.

Though the `Merseybeat` boom had died down, it was still an exiting year musically with such acts as The Who, Seekers, Yardbirds breaking through in 1965. US Folk star Bob Dylan made his first tour of the UK which caused controversy when he changed to amplified instrumentation. The British supposed `Dylan clone` (which he soon proved he was no such thing) Donovan also came to prominence in 1965. He would actually surpass Bob Dylan in the US singles market during 1966-67. The Beatles released their second feature film “Help” in 1965. Though it was a commercial success, neither the group themselves or many critics felt that it matched up to their 1964 debut, “A Hard day’s Night”.

Films, most notable of 1965 were “The Sound of Music” and the 1965 entry in the James Bond franchise, “Thunderball”

On television, “Stingray” and “The Avengers” (now with Diana Rigg) were great success’ Childrens television produced a remarkably adult `end of the world` style series with “Object Z” in October (Object Z returns would follow in April 1966) At the last moment, the BBC `pulled` “The War Games” a chilling scenario about the results of nuclear war. It would not be allowed TV screening until the late 1980s.



* *

Hooray! the biggest chapter `has` taken! I'll leave a couple of days for any replies - I hope! Then go on to 1966!

Alan - speaking as one chronicler of a comic title to another, I must say I enjoyed this. I did download your original Sparky File, but as that was around the time I was deciding how I was going to approach my Cheeky blog, I decided to hold off reading it because I didn't want to be influenced by anyone else's ideas on recording a comic's run. Now I can instead read the re-born file and, as I'm ashamed to say I know virtually nothing about Sparky, this introductory chapter is very informative.

One of the reasons I chose Cheeky Weekly as my subject is that at 117 issues it's a manageable number of comics to cover - I admire your stamina at reviewing a run of over 10 years!

Looking forward to future chapters.

Thank you very much Niblet. I do know that bieng `text` only, it can be rather boring to look at -at first glance! I just can't fit phot's in, which I know rather does devalue it somewhat!

What I hope it does, is to give anyone interested in collecting old Sparky comics a `guide` of sorts! Once I post the yearly chapters 1965-77 I will then post the Fun/Adventure strip logs that I added as appendices.

All the best with your `Cheeky` Blog Niblet!

And now! The 1966 chapter!

1966. `Big Klanky`, Willie the Woeful Wizard`, Davey Spacer, more free gifts, but a struggle to stay afloat.


1966 was obviously a critical period for Sparky as it had two free gift and new story / Fun pal promotions that year. The scarcity of editions on E.Bay or other sources seems to bear out very low sales in 1966.

1966 saw an easing of the amount of fun strips in rotation. This meant the loss of `Flubberface`, and Minnie Ha-Ha` during the early part of the year, `Hockey Hannah` halfway through; and both `Jeff Ye Jolly Jester` and `Freddie the Fearless Fly, during the latter months of 1966. Other fun strips, `Joe Bann and his Big Banjo`, `The Slowdown Express` and the `Pansy Potter` were still rotated in what must have been a puzzling way of presentation to readers.

The year also saw new `fun` pals arrive, `Fireman Fred`, `Granny Cupp and her Flying Saucer` and `My Grockle and Me`.

The first issue of the year, No 50 dated 1st January presented the strip `Quest of the Wandering Wingates`. It was set during the time of the holy crusades. The father of Dickon and Norah Wingate was forced into Prince John’s army and their farm destroyed. The children ended up in the holy lands and their attempts to get home were the main story. It ran to issue No 59, 5th March.

A surprise move in issue 53, 15th January, was the return of `Will O’ the Well`. This time it was as a picture strip. Personally, I felt it was a bad move as the imaginative text stories could never be matched in my opinion by pictures and it ran for only seven issues to No 59, 5th March 1966.

Issue 55 , 29th January, saw the very final `Minnie-Ha-Ha` fun strip and issue 59, 26th February, was the departure of `Flubberface`.

Issue No 56, 12th February 1966 gave an even shorter duration strip than `Will `O the Well`; `Pocahontas`. It was the supposedly true tale of the daughter of a Red Indian chief and her encounters with early `new world` settler Adam Smith. This non too enthralling – for me - affair lasted just five issues to No 60, 12th March 1960.

Issue No 57, 19th February, saw the return of the three page `Lonely Wood` strip, but this was a real `blink and you’ll miss it` affair, only lasting three issues to No 59, 5th March. Surely, one of the briefest ever runs of a strip! Issue 57 also saw the `Pansy Potter` strip rested to issue No 80 in late July 1966.

Sales must have been sluggish and so another two weeks of free gifts and new stories began on issue No 60 dated 12th March. Again, Television adverts, Newsagent displays and `fliers` were utilised to publicize another promotion, though this one not of the same size of that of September 1965.
Here now, is the line up of issue No 60.


SPARKY No 60. (12th March 1966, 5d)


Above the title of the comic it announced the free gift inside: `The Sparky Spinner`. This was a plastic wheel that spun on a plastic stick, with thread and could fly if operated correctly.

Page 1
`The Moonsters` The Moonsters hold a funfare.

Page 2
`Keyhole Kate`

Page 3
`Peter Piper`

Pages 4 & 5
New story-`Seven at One Blow` This was the loose adaptation of the old tale of the Tailors apprentice.

Page 6
`Hungry Horace`

Page 7
`Winnie the Witch`

Pages 8 & 9
New story- `Huffy, Muffy and Tuffy`. This strip was the `updated` `The Three Bears` from Dandy 1938/39. It featured the adventures of three South American bears. They dwelt at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. This strip was in the style of `Wee Tusky` and `Kipper Feet`. Artist was also Jack Monk.

Page 10
`Write to Sparky`

Page 11
Top two thirds is an illustrated ad for next weeks `Crack-Bang!` free gift. The bottom third of the page is a preview of next weeks new story, `Children of the Secret Pool`.

Pages 12 & 13
New Story-`City Under the Sea` The futuristic adventures two children who are part of the community of an undersea city.

Page 14
`Cuckoo in the Clock`

Page 15
`Sparky’s Puzzles`

Pages 16 & 17
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` Dave and Dora are in television advertising world.

Pages 18 & 19
`Pocahontas` This was the adaptation of the meeting between new world explorer Adam Smith and Pocahontas who was the daughter of a red Indian chief.

Pages 20 & 21
`Goldie` The adventures of a golden eagle. Goldie was the `pet of sorts` to Steve and Betty Martin.

Page 22
`Hockey Hannah`

Page 23
`The Slowdown Express`

Page 24
Top ¾ `Sparky`. Bottom ¼ Three panel ads for next weeks free `Crack-Bang!` gift (left panel) and new story `Children of the Secret Pool` (middle panel). The right panel was a showcase of the comic’s fun characters!

* *

Here is the list of new strips (and those departing) over issues 60 and 61. As with issue 35 and 36 in September 1965, the turnover is of adventure strips: no `fun pals` affected. It wasn’t such a big overhaul as the 1965 changes with no change to the Sparky logo.


New Strips Introduced Issues 60 & 61, 12th & 19th March 1966.

In

`Seven at one Blow` (2 Pages)

`Huffy, Muffy and Tuffy` (2 Pages)

`City under the Sea` (2 Pages)

`Children of the Secret Pool` (2 Pages)


Out
`Pocahontas` (2 Pages)

`The Year of the Vanaks` (2 Pages)

`Will O’ the Well` (2 Pages)

`Quest of the Wandering Wingate’s` (2 Pages)


First of the new stories were `Huffy, Muffy and Tuffy` the updated 1938/39 Dandy comics `The Three Bears` which was in the same vein as `Wee Tusky` and `Kipper Feet` and drawn by the same artist, Jack Monk. It did not appeal to me at all. `Huffy, Muffy and Tuffy` were three bears (where have I heard that title before?) who lived in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Their `adventures` were every bit as daft as `Wee Tusky` or `Kipper Feet`. They departed in issue No 74, 18th June 1966.

Then there was `Seven at One Blow` the adaptation of the tale of the tailor’s apprentice, which also began in issue 60. Peter Pretzel (who thought that name up!?) who made his fortune by his wits rather than brawn. Many of the `ruses` or `ploys` he came up to beat his opponents or to solve a problem seemed utterly ludicrous to me and I soon lost interest in the strip. It ran to issue No 72 date 4th June.

Best of all commencing in issue 60, occupying the centre pages in full colour, and demoting `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` once more to two black and white pages, was `City under the Sea`. This futuristic tale featured John and Janet Lowe who lived in a great underwater metropolis we presume was in the near future, that was the centre of a huge fish-farm. The children assisted their father in his duties at the `farm` having many exciting undersea adventures.

This strip was very similar in artwork to the `Year of the Vanaks` strip the previous year, and similar to that story, most enjoyable; one story featured a tremendous tussle between a huge sea serpent and an enormous giant squid! It had a good run of 20 issues to No 79, 23rd July 1966. When it finished, `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` returned to the middle pages (in full colour)

In the second issue of the new stories / free gift promotion, No 61 dated 19th March, began an intriguing story. This was `Children of the Secret Pool`. Young Jack and Jill Hardiman’s parents had been killed in a car crash in Scotland (where they lived), and the two toddlers were sent to an orphanage.

Reading about the crash was an elderly man who the readers learned was the children’s grandfather (his Christian name was never revealed). He strode off to the orphanage but was denied custody of the children by the worried staff (this storyline would really raise eyebrows today).

The grandfather returned at night and took the children. He took them to his home in the mountains. There, he told the children that the waters of the pool and stream that ran past his home had special qualities.
Over the weeks, the children bathed and drank the waters. Like their grandfather, they became super fit and robust. They had many exciting adventures. Edward Drury was the artist on this strip.

It does read in print as a dubious story, but in actuality was pretty innocent; but, I don’t think such a story would see publication these days. It ran to issue No 76 dated 2nd July 1966.

Issue No 62, 26th March, saw a serious animal story, `Rory, the Horse of Many Masters`. Set in early 20th century, 1900 to be precise. It told the story of `Rory` a horse that swapped ownership many times. His first owner, Farmer Charles Oakham decided he preferred the new `horseless carriages` (Cars! To the uninitiated) and sold Rory.

Some of his owners were kind, other-not so! I didn’t recall much of this strip when first reading it in 1966 and have had to catch up on it when getting the comics again. The story is a series of vignette’s as the horse, `Rory` goes through various owners finally ending back with Charles Oakham who had become disillusioned with motorised transport. It never stuck in my memory first time around so it couldn’t have been very special. It ran to 18th June 1966, issue 74. It was drawn by George Radcliffe.

Issue No 63 dated 2 April 1966, introduced the first new `fun pal` since 1965. This was `Fireman Fred` who was drawn by artist Bob Webster who drew `Joe Bann and `Slowdown Express` strips.

Fred was a very enthusiastic, but hopelessly inept fireman who for example, the extinguishing of a burning match would have likely led to a catastrophic conflagration of `great fire of London` proportions! The strip was very dynamic with many crashes, bangs, and assorted mayhem. It was a wonder there were any buildings left untouched in Fred’s city/town. One lovely panel came in the episode where Fred and his fellow fire fighters? Were lining up for inspection by the regional fire chief. As well as the sight of Fred, there was a very `goofy` fellow, a right scruffy individual, an utterly too short specimen and a literal `knuckle dragger-quite Neanderthal! It was a most underrated strip which deserves revaluation today.

`Fireman Fred`, was a regular weekly strip until mid 1967 issue 127, 24th June. It popped back for two weeks 15th & 22nd July 1967, issues 130 & 131, and then it was gone for good.

Issue No 73 dated 11th June, saw `Boy in the Forest of Fear`. This told of a feral boy (name never given) who experienced hostility from forest creatures as he tried to make a home there. Eventually `Boy` befriended the animals and settled with them. The story seemed to be set in the 1920s by the look of it. It ran to issue No 83, 20th August 1966 and was drawn by George Radcliffe. It was replaced the following week by a one-off complete story titled `Prentice Pete` Pete was an incredibly thick workmate to a builder. Though just a single week offering this time, `Pete` would return in spring 1967 for a longer run.

Replacing `Rory, the Horse of many Masters` on 25th June 1966 (issue 75) was a new character who would become quite a `Sparky` favourite over the next few years. This was `Big Klanky` drawn by Bob Webster for this, and his second run in 1967. This initial series of the two page strip was titled `Big Klanky`. Subsequent outings were reduced to just `Klanky` thereafter.

Klanky had been sent to Earth by his creators (who were not shown to readers in this initial series) to `help mankind`. This he did most ably, often thwarting various wrongdoers in his adventures. He befriended the Huggins family, in particular youngsters Ernie and Sis. It was they who gave him the name `Klanky` due to the klanking noise he made as he walked.

The first two episodes (which were at three pages) were a little more serious in tone as the authorities tried to deal with what at first seemed an indestructible menace. Klanky was impervious to everything `thrown` at him; rather in the same manner as Victor comics “The Smasher” - Not To be confused with the `Dandy` comic fun character) which was an indestructible `killer` robot. Klanky though was friendly and the strip became very much lighter in tone from the third episode onward (now at just two pages).

Klanky was very powerful and almost indestructible, he often thwarted wrongdoers. The Klanky strip did sometimes become repetitive; but never on the scale of the comics updated `Invisible Dick ` strip. This first series ran to issue No 87, 17th September 1966. He would return a number of times over the next few years with his real identity revealed in series three in 1969!

Another animal based story beginning in issue 75, 25th June 1966 was `Police Horse Hadrian`. This was about a horse `Hadrian` who trained to be a police horse. His owner, Farmer’s daughter Joan, couldn’t afford to keep Hadrian and sold him to the Police. His trainer/rider, P.C Don Harper, taught Hadrian all he could about being a successful Police horse. It is another story that I just don’t recall from 1966 and have had to `catch –up` on it recently, which says a lot! It too ended on issue 85.

Issue No 76, 2nd July 1966 was the final `Hockey Hannah` outing. `Joe Bann and his Big Banjo` took a long rest (over a year) from issue 77, 9th July 1966 to No 138 on September 9th 1967.

The summer of 1966, 9th July, issue 77 introduced `The Balloon Family Robinson` Set in the 19th century, it told of the Robinson families adventures in their wooden home that was held aloft by hydrogen balloons. It ran to issue 85, September 3rd 1966. It would return (very briefly) in 1967. Tony Speer was the artist.

As stated earlier, the `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` strip continued in its wonderfully surreal way. They actually met most of their fellow `Sparky` pals in one mid 1966 adventure which was very interesting. Later in 1966, James Malcolm joined those who drew the strip. His first story saw the twins encounter intelligent Loch Ness monsters! Sadly, most of the James Malcolm stories weren’t as inventive to me.
Issue No 80, 30th July 1966 saw the arrival of `Granny Cupp and her Flying Saucer`. This was a two page `fun` strip and even in a surrealistic comic such as Sparky this was truly mind bending stuff. One day a flying saucer (from Mars) landed in Granny Cupps garden, it was having control trouble. The Martians were rather robotic looking, but quite friendly and most grateful for Grannie’s help.

While the Martians carried out repairs, Granny served the creatures cups of tea with cake and biscuits. The craft was soon repaired and the friendly fellows left Granny a small saucer in gratitude. The saucer had many devices which helped Granny quite a bit, and got her into some scrapes too. The artwork was rather sparse and took some getting used to (artist unknown). Granny finished her ride in issue 85, 3rd September 1966, but she would return in summer 1967.

No 80 also saw the return of the `Pansy Potter` strip which was now a full page offering. Both Bill Hill and Bob Webster took turns at drawing the strip until Webster took sole duties from late 1966 onward. Webster then began to bring in Pansy’s mom and dad more over the next few years (Bill Hill hardly ever featured her parents). By 1969 Bob Webster really got into his stride with `Pansy` making it one of the highlights of the comic from that period.

Another old character returning after dropping out in issue 29 back in 7th August 1965, was `Nosey Parker`. He returned in issue No 83, 20th August 1966. The strip would rota in that many Sparky artists took turns on it, losing something in continuity to my eyes. Two whose style I recognise, were Albert Holroyd and Michael Barrat. It would sometimes only be a half page strip as it was in every 1965 outing; but at many instances expanded to a full page, especially in early 1967.

The comic certainly went through a heavy turnover of stories, both semi-serious and purely fun strips in 1966. It seemed to be struggling for continuity in its effort to garner a loyal readership. By September 1966 yet another two weeks of free gifts and new stories was offered to readers in a bid to increase sales. Once more, Telly ads, newsagent displays and `fliers` came in to play, all paid for by D.C Thomson in another effort to publicise their new promotion.

As this was again not deemed one of the more radical re-jigs to the comic there was no logo change again this time. Anyhow, here is the line up for issue No 86 dated 10th September 1966, which was the first of the two weeks minor re-launch.


SPARKY No 86. 10th September 1966, 5d


Top of page announces the free gift of the `Tweek-Squeak` balloon.

Page 1
`The Moonsters` The moon creatures hold a fun-fare.

Page 2
`Keyhole Kate`

Pages 3, 4 & 5 (this week only)
New story `My Grockle and Me` Young Jimmy Johnson receives a large egg posted by an uncle residing in Africa. He warms it in the oven and it hatches out into a small dragon-like creature which makes the noise “Grockle”. Deciding to name it Grockle, Jimmy keeps it as it grows to the size of a small horse. I didn’t know at the time that this was an updated 1920s `Rover` comic strip called `Jimmy Johnson’s Grockle`. I consider this George Drysdale’s best work in the comic.

Page 6
Hungry Horace`

Page 7
Top half, `Pansy Potter` Bottom half, `Nosey Parker`.

Pages 8 & 9
New story, `Willie the Woeful Wizard`. This was the fun adventures of the court wizard to the king of Pom. It was a truly superb offering.

Page 10
`Write to Sparky`

Page 11
Advert for next weeks free gift, the `Bizzy Buzzer` plus a preview of next weeks new story, `Nine Hundred Years Ago`.

Pages 12 & 13
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` Now back in the centre colour pages, the couple visit `Census Land`.

Page 14
`Fireman Fred`

Page 15
`Sparky’s Puzzles`

Page 16
`Peter Piper`

Pages 17, 18 & 19
New story `Terry Had a Little Pig` What I do recall of this was that it was very dull indeed to me.

Pages 20 & 21
`Big Klanky` Klanky has been sent to earth by his masters to aid humanity. He aids the Huggins family which is a start.

Page 22
`Winnie the Witch`

Page 23
`Cuckoo in the Clock`

Page 24
Top ¾ `Sparky`. Bottom ¼ of page is another preview of next weeks `Bizzy Buzzer` free gift and `Nine Hundred Years Ago` new story.


* *

Here is a list of the strip turnover / changes of the weeks of 10th and 17th September. For the first time a new `fun pal` strip was introduced in these changes, this was My Grockle and Me`.


New Strips Introduced, Issues 86 & 87, 10th & 17th September 1966.


In

`My Grockle and Me` (2 Pages)

`Willie the Woeful Wizard` (2 Pages)

`Terry Had a Little Pig` (2 Pages)

`Nine Hundred Years Ago` (2 Pages)


Out

`Prentice Pete` (2 Pages)

`Granny Cupp and her Flying Saucer` (2 Pages)

`Balloon Family Robinson` (2 Pages)

`Police Horse Hadrian` (2 Pages)


The `Willie the Woeful Wizard` strip was not especially unique as magic based stories were common in fun comics, but the artwork and plots were superb! Bill Mainwaering drew it to finely detailed precision, which complemented the surreal flavour of the storylines. I can honestly state, that in my opinion Bill Mainwaerings artwork on the `Willy` strip is the finest I have ever seen in any `fun` comic.

Willie was a tall thin, wiry bespectacled fellow who had long blond hair and slightly prominent teeth. He had a rather `scatty` personality and often got himself into awful muddles. Early on in his adventures he got around on a broomstick which was most unwizard like until he acquired a second hand magic carpet from one `Genie Kelly`.

Willie worked for the king in the land of `Pom`. He carried out many varied tasks which presented readers with wonderfully innovative storylines. His magic didn’t always go as planned, otherwise the `scrapes` he got into would have never happened! Of course, when things really mattered, Willy always came through.

The individual stories that consisted of the 31 week run were usually either three or four episodes long, apart from one of five parts and another of just two.

Willie’s first task was to acquire some dragons to help Pom fight off their aggressive neighbour’s army. Pom’s enemy was the nation of Quagar which was ruled by a czar who had visions of conquest. Willie needed help from the `With it Witch` who sent him on an errand before she would help him. It was while on the errand for the witch that Willie first encountered `Genie Kelly` (an actual genie who lived in a tree) they became friends.

The next adventure saw Willy under orders to cheer the people of Pom up a bit by the king (who didn’t like sad faces) Sadly, Willie’s spell misfired and everyone (including the king and Willie himself) couldn’t stop laughing! Willie needed help from a young pretty maiden called `Ally Lulia` before he set things to right. She too became a good friend. Part of the story saw very daring references to 1960s drug culture by mentioning `Junk` being smoked and `Mescalweed` which was a thinly disguised reference to the actual hallucinogenic drug, Mescaline! Very daring indeed!

Next up was the `Bongovian Cup Competition` where Willie encountered old enemy, one `Aldofini` who was court wizard to the Czar of Quagar. Willy entered the competition hoping to win the cup for Pom and put one over on the czar of Quagar whose entrant was the villainous `Adolfini`.

Unfortunately for Willy the union of magicians realised he had used up his quota of magic for the year and withdrew his powers! Willy made his way to Bongovia after entering the `Palm Court hotel which was a mirage.

Willy rode an imaginary camel he hired at the hotel but it disappeared once he forgot to believe in it! He finally made it to Bongovia but his chances at the competition were hopeless with no powers. Seeing Willy’s plight the evil Adolfini ordered his henchmen to abduct Willy out in the desert and kill him. Luckily for Willy, the king of Pom on hearing how his powers were `taken away` ordered the magicians union on point of execution to restore them.

With his powers restored Willy duly won the competition but Adolfini went and stole the cup from under his nose.

The next story went into outer space where Willie and the court scientist, flew by rocket to the planet `Pars` to search for a rare metal needed for Pom’s Marmalade mining process. Willie once more encountered the evil Aldofini on Pars! Adolfini was forcing the Partians to work for him. Happily, Willy freed them and a grateful people gave him as much metal as he could carry.

We next see Willie tasked to fetch back royal princess Sophie for an arranged marriage from her finishing school in `Twitzerland` only, Sophie wants no part in it! This story featured some very funny scenes involving a giant and a crooked innkeeper, both of who had stolen Willie’s flying carpet and tried to ride it with disastrous results. Both the `With it Witch` and `Ally Lulia` appeared in this story.

The next tale was that of a `Slimming Potion` for the king. The King of Pom is fed up of being so fat, but can’t keep to a diet, so he orders Willie to make him a slimming potion. Knowing his own shortcomings with such concoctions, Willie wisely tests it out on the royal elephant first! He is right to as though the elephant certainly loses weight it doesn’t decrease in size at all! In fact, the poor pachyderm floats up into the sky, taking its keeper along for the ride!

Willie gives chase on his flying carpet and soon catches them up. Eventually the elephant’s weight begins to come back and it floats down into the crater of an extinct volcano. This is inhabited by Henry the Horrible Hermit who resents `intruders` and begins lobbing rocks at Willie and friends! Thanks to the elephant, Henry is repulsed and with another dose of the potion, Willie floats the elephant back to Pom! He finds that the king has paced up and down so much in worry that he has lost enough weight this way to satisfy him!

Perhaps the lesser of Willie’s adventures, this tale of a flying elephant and an unfriendly hermit, perhaps didn’t quite come off.

My favourite was the next story, the task for Willie to find `Old Tom’s Almanac`. The sheer levels of surrealism in this particular story were awesome and it has been one of my very favourite tales of all time.

The story commenced with the naughty `With it Witch` who was holding `Ally Lulia` hostage and would only let her go if Willy could locate the Almanac. For this, he had to climb an Indian rope to a land above the clouds (called `Nohow` land) to a library set in the cloudbanks which held the tome. Here, he encountered old friend `Genie Kelly` again and both set out on the task.

`Old Tom` who compiled the book was a giant who enjoyed Wizards and Genies for breakfast which was a bit of a problem for both. Another obstacle was the dreaded `Seven headed Serpent` whose gaze turned all those it looked upon to treacle! Willie’s reflective glasses turned the serpent’s glare back on itself and it ended up as a sort of `treacle pudding`. With aid from `Genie Kelly` Willie gained the Almanac and freed `Ally Lulia`. The concept of another world (`Nohow land`) above the clouds was truly innovative indeed.

The final adventure was in two sections. The first four episodes began with the streets of Pom troubled by the nasty `Van-Dal` ` Hooly Gan` and their gangs of `beat hicks`. Though Willy put temporary paid to their ways a permanent answer was needed. Hence, Willy goes on another mission on advice from the `With it Witch` to get `Doraymee` seeds which would cure the troublemakers for good.

On his journey, Willie encounters `Prince Vince` who is being sent on impossible tasks by a Caliph whose daughter he wishes to marry. Willy helps all to a happy resolution and gets his Doraymee seeds. Unknown to Willy a great change has come over `Van-Dal` and `Hooly Gan` who are now married and become solid citizens. A wandering minstrel, one `Robin Cupid` gave the louts some rather magical advice and they married and settled down. Due to a mishearing of partial conversations, Willy thinks `Robin Cupid` has replaced him and leaves the kingdom of Pom with all his possessions in belief that he is of no more use.

The final two episodes see Willy encounter wandering knight Sir Hardy of Bongovia, whose king had sent him on a task to catch a `Snole` for the Bongovian zoo. Hardy rescued a dozing Willy from one of these fierce fellows and the two became friends. Snoles, by the way, are a sort of cross between a grizzly bear and a crocodile...the mind boggles!

Back at court, the `With it Witch` asks for Willie’s job which puzzles the king. It then becomes clear that Willy has left on a misunderstanding and the king is distraught. Robin Cupid and postman `Jeepio` set out to search for him.
Meantime, and after Willy has rescued Sir Hardy from a whole bunch of `Snoles` they come across Robin Cupid and Jeepio and all is explained! Willy heads back to court to a tumultuous reception!

Just wonderful!! The whole series was a wonderful tour-de-force in surrealism and innovative storylines. But! After seven months, or to be more precise, 31 weeks, that was it for Willy; gone, never to return! It is one of the most puzzling decisions in the comic’s history; or perhaps, am I really the only reader who adored the strip?

As I stated earlier, in the second story the strip actually got away with a couple of drug references in that segment of the story by mentioning a character smoking `Junk` and `Mescalweed`(a nod to Mescaline) which was incredibly daring for a children’s comic. The strip often put in references to present day culture and `pop` songs for readers to spot which gave it a very topical flavour.

Characters such as the `With it Witch` (who played a modern day electric guitar) and `Genie Kelly` (only film musical buffs will catch on to the association of that name) inhabited his world. There was `Ally Lullia` a pretty young lady who aided Willy on some occasions. The local postman was called Jeepio (G.P.O). The king of Pom was a portly fellow of uneven temper. At times, he jailed Willy, once on point of execution. Under this `crusty` exterior though, he actually liked Willy a lot and was awfully upset on thinking Willy had gone forever in the final story.

Yes! I adored this strip with its delightfully bizarre nature and wrote my first letter to the comic in March 1967 saying how much I enjoyed it. The result being the following month (8th April 1967), issue No 116, was that the strip ended forever!! Ah well! So much for reader feedback!

The week of 10th September 1966 saw the introduction of another updated old fun strip I mentioned earlier; `My Grockle and Me`. Jimmy Johnson grew Grockle from an egg sent to him from an uncle in Africa. Grockle had an amazing appetite, even eating metallic objects, he even drank petrol with apparently no ill effects.

Grockle was prone to bouts of temper, often belching out flame when in a fit of pique. He was a loving pet to Jimmy and could be very helpful to him.

At the time I had no idea this was a contemporary version of the old `Rover` and `Dandy` comic strip, `Jimmy Johnson’s Grockle`. It was a very enjoyable fun strip which ran to the big overhaul of September 1967, issue No 140. It featured some of artist George Drysale’s best work.

The other new adventure strip, which was more serious in tone, was titled `Nine Hundred Years Ago` commenced in issue No 87, 17th September. It was set just before the battle of Hastings. A convoluted plot saw the blacksmith Father of Mildred and Edgar jailed by King Harold’s men! The children were made homeless and worked their way to France to try and raise help!? (I know! It is `most` confusing!)

Anyway, it cumulated in William the Conqueror winning at Hastings and freeing the children’s Father. As well as confusing, it was rather dull to me; but saved somewhat by artist Bill Mainwaerings superb work on it. `Nine Hundred Years Ago` ran to issue 94, 5th November 1966.

`Terry had a Little Pig` the last of the September 1966 intake was, for me, an awfully tedious affair indeed. Terry Hicks won a small pig at a garden fete (as you do!) the strip outlined his efforts to keep the pig a secret from his perceived, disapproving parents. This too ended in November 1966, the 26th issue 97 to be precise, and not a moment too soon!

Also in September 1966 the `Sparky Book 1967` was issued (all D.C Thomson annuals were dated for following year by mid 1960s). The Sparky books were actually compiled more than a year in advance of the year they came out which meant that in some years, particularly in the 1970 book, the strips in the books had ceased in the weekly comic more than a year before!

The fun animal based adventures strips such as `Wee Tusky` and `Kipper Feet` were represented in this first Sparky book, but the only one of the more serious in tone adventure strip to feature in it was `Floating Along, Singing a Song`. This was titled in the book `The Canal Kids` the name the children called their musical group in the comic strip.

The first Sparky book had 128 pages with 48 of them in full colour. It is not too common today, but isn’t as expensive as either the `Dandy` or `Beano` annuals 1967. The cover features the `Moonsters` Fire Brigade and is light blue in colour.
Here is the line up of the first Sparky book.



Sparky Book 1967, Contents.

`The Canal Kids` (this was titled `Sailing Along, Singing a Song` in the comic)
`Sparky`
`Pansy Potter`
`Jeff Ye Jolly Jester`
`The Moonsters`
`Nosey Parker`
`Dotty Daydream` # (This was a non-comic story, only appearing in the Sparky book.)
`Freddie the Fearless Fly`
`Wee Tusky`
`Young Ben` # (text and another non-comic story)
`Winnie the Witch`
`The Slowdown Express`
`Minnie Ha-Ha`
`Keyhole Kate`
`Lonely Wood`
`Dolly Dimple` # (another non-comic strip)
`Hungry Horace`
`Kipper Feet`
`Peter Piper`
`McGinty the Goat`
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora`
`Joe Bann and his Big Banjo`
`Will O’ the Well` (text)
`Flubberface`
`Hockey Hannah`
`Cuckoo in the Clock`
`The Walk-About Wilsons` # (non-comic adventure strip)

The # sign by a strip means that the strip never featured in Sparky comic, only the book.

Back to the comic itself and Issue No 88, 24th September 1966 saw `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` bumped off the centre pages again (back to two B&W pages) to make way for the adaptation of Pegasus the winged horse titled `The Horse With Wings.

It was a fairly interesting and enjoyable strip. One episode featured the lost continent of Atlantis whose citizens had devised weapons more advanced than 20th century technology! They were most warlike! The continent was destroyed by a huge earthquake. Another episode featured a creature called a `Chimera` half lion, half dragon, which was quite a sight! It lasted to issue 106, 28th January 1967 and was drawn by Edward Drury.

Two more old pals now departed in quick succession, these were `Jeff Ye Jolly Jester` who bowed out in issue 89, 1st October, followed shortly by `Freddie the Fearless Fly` in the 15th October issue, No 91.

In late 1966 a character that would have three series in Sparky circa 1966 to 1969, was introduced. This first outing was titled `Little Davey Spacer`. It commenced in issue 95 dated 12th November 1966. The first two series were loosely based on Jonathan Swifts `Gulliver’s Travels` with Davey as a sci-fi Lemual Gulliver.

Davey West was a pilot for the Earth space fleet in the year 2084. Earth forces had battled with the `Invaders from the Rim` (I presume this meant the `Galactic rim`) in the region of the planet Saturn and Davey’s ship was badly damaged. He had to eject from the damaged ship and bodily landed on a small asteroid that readers learned was called `Astera` and populated by six inch tall peoples called the `Asterites`

The Asterites looked human enough except for their elongated, pointed heads, which made it awkward for their Emperor who wore a crown! `Astera` was in orbit around Saturn. The Asterites mostly lived inside its honeycombed interior and had progressed to creating quite a civilised society.

Davey was `sort of’ captured by the six inch high Asterite populace who could not be sure whether the unconscious giant might be hostile, or not! As with Gulliver, he was secured to the ground by many ropes. Once he regained consciousness Davey managed to persuade the Asterites that he was friendly and was released.

The Asterites then set up an oxygen supply for Davey to keep him alive. He was later joined by space dog, Puff` (Whose vocabulary was mostly based on the word “Boogle”) who arrived in an egg that had floated on to Astera. Puff was a very friendly creature that resembled a poodle a little, except he had `three ears on top of his head rather like horns! Readers would only find out `Puff’s` world of origin in the `Davey Spacer` strip in the Sparky book dated 1970. Apparently it was “Planet Puffball” occupied by creatures similar to `Puff``. So, why on Earth was he floating in space in an egg then if he had a planet of origin? Never mind!

Anyway, back to the strip itself, and one Asterite who wasn’t at all friendly towards Davey was Rann Cid (I never twigged this name back in 1966) whose factory had been damaged when Davey landed. Rann Cid tried to kill Davey on more than one occasion. He even tried overthrowing the Emperor in order to get his way. Davey and Puff saw him off and he was jailed for life. Davey’s closest friends, apart from Puff, were `Gog` and `Yak` two redoubtable Asterites who Davey helped to construct an Asterian space fleet.

Davey then helped the Asterites when they were invaded by one of `The Raiders from the Rim` ships, the same raiders that Earth forces had been at war with. The `Invaders`, when they alighted from their craft, were three human sized intelligent chicken-like creatures who were more prone to firing their ray guns rather than peaceful contact. The hostile creatures led by their cruel commander Oswan, set about capturing the Asterites.

These three `Raiders` were soon driven off Astera but their full space fleet was set upon a massive battle with the Earth fleet! The Asterites and their new space ships aided the Earth forces by delivering (undetected as they were so small) limpet bombs to the raiders ships hulls, thereby eliminating the threat. A grateful Earth commander set up an alliance with Astera and towed the asteroid into orbit around the Earth. This first series ran to issue 107, 11th February 1967 and was very popular. I certainly enjoyed it a lot.

The strip `Island from the Past` commenced in late 1966 issue 98, 3rd December, it carried onto 18th February 1967, issue 109. It was the story of the island of Moa which had somehow reverted to prehistoric times with animals, plants and humans all de-evolved to that period.

Two modern day children, Hope and Rodney Murdoch became shipwrecked there and the strip conveyed their adventures. It was a most exciting premise for a story. The major drawback to the strip was what I regard as poor artwork that just does not do the story justice. As stated, it ended at issue No 109, 18th February 1967.

1966 had been a struggle for sales with two lots of free gift, new story promotions. Despite such progressive offerings as `Willy the Woeful Wizard` `Klanky` and `Little Davey Spacer`, the comic was looking rather archaic compared to the likes of `Wham` and `Smash` from rivals Odhams, and especially against City publications `T.V 21` offering. Even fellow stable mates `Dandy` and `Beano` seemed more contemporary in comparison. 1967 loomed ahead, would Sparky fare better?



* *

EVENTS OF 1966.


In Politics the current Government (Labour) won an increased (to 96) majority in the general election held in March. The terrible Coal slag tip, Aberfan disaster occurred in October 1966, perhaps the most traumatic UK disaster of the 1960s. Also harrowing were the details of the notorious “Moors Murders” as the trial of Ian brady and Myra Hidley unfolded.

In sport: Liverpool became league champions with Leeds Utd again second. FA cup winners were Everton who beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 in a thrilling final. Biggest soccer event was that year’s world cup which England won on home soil beating West Germany 4-2 after extra time.

In formula one, due to new rules on engine litre classification, 1961 champion, Jack Brabham regain the title. Graham Hill won the Indianapolis 500 in 1966.

Music: Biggest UK singles seller was by Tom Jones at year’s end with the only UK million plus seller, “The Green, Green Grass of Home” Biggest selling UK LP was the soundtrack to “The Sound of Music”.

It was the year when the “Dave Dee” group, “Spencer Davis” outfit, and the “Troggs” dominated the UK singles charts. 1966 was a year of very influential LP releases such as The Beatles “Revolver” the Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” and the first ever rock double, Bob Dylan’s “Blond on Blond” set. Sadly October 1966 saw the deaths of Alma Cogan (Cancer) and Johnny Kidd (Car crash).

The Beatles curtailed touring after August that year, though never `officially` announcing they had. It didn’t stop media speculation by the close of 1966 that perhaps the group were no more!

Biggest US selling single was Sgt Barry Sadler’s pro Vietnam “The Ballad of the Green Berets” Biggest selling US LP was the debut eponymous “The Monkees” at over two and a half million sold to years end.

Also in the US towards years end, the word `Psychedelic` began cropping up in connection with experimental pop music, sometimes associated with the drug LSD.

Notable films were, “Dr Zhivago” “A Man for all Seasons” and “Alfie”

Interesting TV offerings were “Thunderbirds” Supernatural anthology “Mystery and Imagination” and the surreal adaptation by Jonathan Millar of “Alice in Wonderland”. On a darker note, a play highlighting the plight of the homeless “Cathy Come Home” actually caused questions in Parliament and a change in the laws on accommodation!

In the US colour television was introduced from the summer season causing the cancellation of many shows that couldn’t afford to film in colour such as long running western series “Rawhide” and horror spoof “The Munsters”

In September 1966 on US TV “The Monkees” and “Star Trek” debuted. Neither were truly high rating’s scorers but became very influential years later.

November saw the death of popular entertainer, Arthur Haynes from an unexpected heart attack.
* *

There's 1966. Hope Niblet and anyone else will find it of use!

Pages 3, 4 & 5 (this week only)
New story `My Grockle and Me` Young Jimmy Johnson receives a large egg posted by an uncle residing in Africa. He warms it in the oven and it hatches out into a small dragon-like creature which makes the noise “Grockle”. Deciding to name it Grockle, Jimmy keeps it as it grows to the size of a small horse. I didn’t know at the time that this was an updated 1920s `Rover` comic strip called `Jimmy Johnson’s Grockle`. I consider this George Drysdale’s best work in the comic.

It was also in The Dandy 1937-1939.

I have the first Sparky book (found it in a YMCA charity shop last year). I was quite surprised at it's contents when I bought that, as you really can't tell it's the same comic as Sparky from the 70s, so drastic was the 1969 revamp. One thing that did please me about it... Canal Kids mentions Hull!

If you catch the Sparky book with the 1970 date on the cover, it has strips in it that ended in 1965 & 1966!! I reckon there must have been complaints about it bieng so out of date with the (1969) comic that the 1971 dated book was far closer to Sparky comic 1970!

Thanks for your `correction` Digi! I actually do mention "Grockle" was a `Dandy` strip too later on in the 1966 chapter but I hadn't know which years then! But i'm glad you are scrutinising my `stuff` cheers!

Hows this?

The week of 10th September 1966 saw the introduction of another updated old fun strip I mentioned earlier; `My Grockle and Me`. Jimmy Johnson grew Grockle from an egg sent to him from an uncle in Africa. Grockle had an amazing appetite, even eating metallic objects, he even drank petrol with apparently no ill effects.

Grockle was prone to bouts of temper, often belching out flame when in a fit of pique. He was a loving pet to Jimmy and could be very helpful to him.

At the time I had no idea this was a contemporary version of the old 1920s `Rover` and `Dandy`(1937-39) comic strip, `Jimmy Johnson’s Grockle`. It was a very enjoyable fun strip which ran to the big overhaul of September 1967, issue No 140. It featured some of artist George Drysale’s best work.

And now! 1967!!

1967. `Invisible Dick`, `The Lonely Lad of Blue Lagoon` and A `major` revamp.


In 1967 as stated at the end of the 1966 chapter, the comic was looking rather old fashioned in comparison to I.P.C titles such as `Wham`, the new `Pow` and `Smash` and in comparison to City publishing’s `T.V 21` comic.

As the year progressed some strips were very dull, for example “Prentice Pete” the adventures of an incredibly simple minded apprentice; `Greedy Gus` the horse with `appetite` and `Titch, the Pup that Grew and Grew` Riveting!

Sales must have struggled and yet another two weeks of free gifts and new stories was planned for September that year. This time, the overhaul would be quite radical in an attempt to save the comic.

Issue No 106, saw an addition to the `Moonsters` strip. These were the `Oakies`, animated tree creatures! They faded from the strip after a few months.

Issue 107 saw `Keepers of the Dancing Drums`. This was an adventure strip concerning an African dance troupe and their attempt to travel to Johannesburg to attend a large dance festival. A mystery enemy kept trying to sabotage their journey. The strip was very ill informed about African vegetation and wild-life which today is pretty shameful even for a `fun` comic. It lasted to issue No 122, 20th May 1967.


Pause for Thought!

Not just ethnic minorities, but certain members of the animal kingdom really `copped` a bad image in comics (and Hollywood films pre 1970s). `Keepers of the Dancing Drums` in one episode, portrayed a gorilla as a vicious, carnivorous killer! Utter rot! Gorillas are gentle vegetarians and not one recorded instance of one ever harming a human has surfaced. The adult chimpanzee is an ape that can easily kill a human.

Similarly, the `Lonely Lad` strip, amongst others, portrayed octopuses as killers too. Now! Whereas fictional giant octopus can be accepted in such a light, the real life pacific octopuses (the planet’s largest octopus) are gentle creatures that have never harmed any human either. The octopus to really fear is the tiny `blue ringed octopus` which possesses a highly lethal poisonous bite. Squids on the other hand though are pretty aggressive fellows, so they are ripe for comic `vilification`!!

The 1970/71 `Bushboy` strip certainly gave snakes a very bad name. Contrary to what the strip told readers, poisonous snakes `never-ever` target humans. They only strike people in self defence when surprised.


* *

What in retrospect, would turn out to be a very bad day for me happened on 11th February 1967 (issue No 108). This was the start of the long running `Invisible Dick` strip. This strip had originated in 1922 (`Rover` comic) and run in 1938 `Dandy` It was now `updated`.

The premise for the strip was unrealistic to say the least! Dick Dickson’s Dad was an Astronaut (this is early 1967 and the U.K can barely afford Concorde never mind a space programme).

Dickson senior takes a torch with him and the capsule encounters cosmic rays. On return, dad gives Dick the torch as a memento. Dick soon discovers that it makes all it shines its black beam on invisible. That’s the sum of it really.

For me, this became quite easily the most irritating and truly boring strip in Sparky comics (and any other comics in my view) entire history. I found it soon to become awfully repetitive and extremely tedious. Virtually every storyline was a repeat of some bully, or self important fellow receiving their come-uppance via Dick’s torch.

Thankfully, this first run of the strip ended at issue 123 27th May 1967, but! It would return in 1968. One aspect of the strip was what in my view was a `lessening` of clarity in artist Tony Speer’s work on the strip! I think his later years on `Invisible Dick` were not his best work, but this is only my opinion.

In mitigation, there is one truly innovative `Invisible Dick` story that impressed me on getting some late 1971 Sparky’s recently. In one issue, Dick and a friend are pot holing. His friend breaks the regular torch they have and the pals get lost. Dick realises his torch can help them and he shines its black beam to where the cave roof should be. At once beams of sunshine penetrate through the `now invisible` section of cave roof, lighting the cave up! As they progress Dick creates more `holes` to guide them. Up above, townsfolk are horrified to see what must be subsidence creating great holes in the roads and fields.

That was a really good episode, but it took over four years to bring forth such an engrossing tale! Another innovate story from mid 1969 was when Dick encountered fellow Sparky character `Peter Piper` and his magic pipes which brought any icon to life. They had a sort of duel! So, the strip could be fairly engrossing when it tried, but so often it was the same over repeated formula. In the eight years of the strips life I only rate a bare ten to twelve episodes. This makes me wonder about readers top two choices! Was the `Invisible Dick` strip really picked by so many readers as to give it such a long run in the comic? Maybe I am completely out of step with other Sparky readers here!?

If only more thought had gone into it the `Invisible Dick` strip could have been truly entertaining, but, sadly, it soon got back into the rut of bullies and prigs getting the worst of it. All I know is, that personally, I rate it the comic’s very worst offering in its history.
Issue 110, 25th February brought us `The Lost Ponies of Thor` This was an adventure strip about a rare breed of ponies and two children’s efforts to keep them safe. It is another story I have had to read up on as I recall very little of it at the time. It was drawn by the same artist of `Island of the Past` rather basic and not eye catching artwork. It ran to issue 119, 29th April.

Replacing the wonderful `Willie the Woeful Wizard` strip in issue 117, 15th April, was another listless animal based story, titled `Greedy Gus`. This was set in the Wild West about a horse with a relentless appetite. Basically, it was a re-working of the `McGinty the Goat` strip (same artist Bob Webster). As with that strip, it was poor fare indeed. Thankfully, it only lasted to issue No 127, 24th June.

Beginning on 6th May 1967 with issue 120 1967 saw the commencement of `The Cave Kids` which was set in prehistoric times. It featured young cave children Daro and Oaki and their way of life in such far away times. They, their Father, Mother and baby Brother lived in a cave that they had `liberated` from one Black Bear!

Black bear was a mite `cheesed off`’ at this and tried to drive them out again until they discovered fire which terrified the bear. I do recall one very atmospheric episode featuring the summer solstice at Stonehenge, but apart from that I can’t recall too much about it first time around, so it couldn’t have been too engrossing. Today, it reads fair, but nothing special. It lasted a bare dozen episodes to issue no 131, July 22nd.

Issue 122, 20th May the `Winnie the Witch` fun strip was replaced by new fun pal, `Harry Carry`. This featured Harry and his mate Sam, who were in the haulage business. Some of their adventures were pretty unbelievable, but on the whole, it was more reality based than fantasy. Harry’s mate, Sam, had a habit of always complaining with what became his catchphrase “I. `ates!” (Whatever the thing was each week that riled him). The strip was drawn by James Malcolm.

It was the first step in a move away from fantasy based fun pals, like Winnie, to reality based characters. September 1967 would reinforce this direction.

Issue 123 replacing `Keepers of the Dancing drums` saw the return, this time for more than just `one` issue, of `Prentice Pete` the handyman’s assistant who seemingly possessed about half the brains of an amoeba! Pete was just too `thick` to be true! The strip was too ridiculous to enjoy for my tastes. One episode even tried to put across that Pete didn’t know the difference between a Fox and a Dog, even five year old readers wouldn’t accept such puerile storylines. It finally ended at issue 140, 23rd September 1967.

A very enjoyable and engrossing `new` strip was `The Lonely Lad of Blue Lagoon` which commenced in issue No 124 dated 3rd June. This was actually a Hotspur comic reprint (I did not know that then) originally called `Lonely Larry` which turned out some wonderfully inventive storylines and beautiful artwork, especially from Bill Holroyd towards the end of its run in summer 1968.

`Larry` or `Ken` as he was called in this re-run, had been stranded on the island after a shipwreck with an elderly couple. The woman had died when the strip began and her husband died in episode two (in his sleep) leaving Ken alone except for his pet Toucan, `Tommy`.

One of the best of the 1967 stories in the run of Ken’s adventures was when a volcano broke surface just offshore of Ken’s island and Ken, with Tommy, had to evacuate to another island. The strip changed artists in its 1967-68 tenure in Sparky which did affect continuity a little. As well, part of the storyline was run incorrectly in early 1968, so someone in the Sparky office wasn’t concentrating.

Other artists on the strip were Steve Chapman and someone called Buzelli!

The 1st July issue No 128 initiated yet another animal themed strip. This was `Titch, the Pup that grew and Grew`. Titch was the pet of schoolgirl Linda Wilson. One day he devoured a whole bag of pig feed and started growing.

He finally stopped when he reached the size of a small horse. Titch and Linda became a television story and the huge puppy got into many adventures.

Finally, he became fed up of pig feed (no! I don’t know why they fed him on it either!) He started to shrink, just a little at first; then he drank some spilt whitewash and next morning was `puppy-size` again. The Titch strip was yet another yawn fest ending at issue 137, 2nd September 1967.

Making a return flight in the summer of 1967, issue 132, 29th July (replacing the `Cave Kids`) was old `Granny Cupp and her Flying Saucer` with eight episodes, to issue 139, of utterly surrealistic flights of fancy. Quite the weirdest adventure came when Granny accidentally thwarted an attempted South American junta! I can’t give justice to it in words; it has to be seen to be believed; surrealism par excellence!

Three new writers joined the comic during 1967. These were Gordon Cook, Mike Baird and Peter Clark. Peter Clark would pen the very finest `I. Spy` stories from 1969 to 1971.

The second Sparky book, dated 1968 came out in September 1967. The `Moonsters` were the cover stars again, becoming a brass band this time. The cover did look similar to the 1967 book, having the same light blue tone of artwork. The 1968 book only ran to 124 pages rather than last years 128 totals. Next years book (the 1969 one) and subsequent issues would be back at 128 pages. About 50 were in full colour.

Here is the line up of the 1968 book.



SPARKY BOOK 1968, Contents.

`David` # (non-comic strip) this was the biblical story of how shepherd boy David became King of the Jewish peoples)
`Sparky`
`Hungry Horace`
`Clara’s Crystal` # (non-comic strip)
`No Highway for the Heyworth’s` # (non-comic strip)
`Keyhole Kate`
`Peter Piper`
`Pansy Potter`
`The Moonsters`
`Fireman Fred`
`Winnie the Witch`
`Young Ben` # (non-comic text strip)
`Cuckoo in the Clock`
`Goldie`
`Lonely Wood`
`Stone age Stella` # (non-comic strip)
`Hockey Hannah`
`Wee Tusky`
`Nosey Parker`
`Dotty Daydream` # (non-comic strip)
`Pa, Ma and the Kids` # (non-comic strip)
`Joe Bann and his Big Banjo`
`The Slowdown Express`
`Big Klanky`
`Will O’ the Well (text)
`Kipper Feet`
`Lucy Lane’s Paper Round` # (non-comic strip)


Pause for thought!

I have to make a personal point here concerning the two religious strips, `David` and `The Road to Cavalry` from the 1968 and 1969 books. I think Dudley Watkins was the artist for those strips. I have no particular gripe against religious based strips in general, but I do object when they are placed in a book aimed at the readers of a `fun` comic.

How many fans/readers were surprised when getting their 1968 or 1969 book to get this kind of stuff? I for one, when getting my Sparky book 1969 thought it a deception that I had paid for this `message` based strip! If I wanted religious education in books I would buy religious themed books, not `fun` annuals.

* *


Back to the file, and September 1967 also saw the return of `The Balloon Family Robinson` which broke the record set by 1966’s second run of `Lonely Wood` for brevity in the comic at just `two` episodes! Issues 138, 9th September, to No 139 16th September. It is a record that will surely never be beaten-or equalled, if you discount the one-off `filler` episode of `Prentice Pete` in 1966. Why bother to bring back a story for just two issues?

Also returning for just one issue was fun pal `Joe Bann and his Big Banjo` in issue No 138, 9th September. Joe had been absent since issue 77 back on 9th July 1966. It was a very strange move to bring him back after over a year for just one episode! Why the `Slowdown Express` could not have gone on for one more episode, I just don’t know.

By late Summer 1967 the comic was obviously struggling though; and it was time for another couple of weeks of free gifts and new `fun pals`. However, this time the overhaul was to be very large indeed, and quite radical. As with previous overhauls, Television advertising (I personally recall the 1967 ads!) newsagent promotions and pink `fliers` were used to highlight the forthcoming changes and free gifts.

Many fans and commentators when mentioning the comic’s history, always point (with good reason) to the February 1969 re-launch as the big `turning point` for the comic. My view though, is that the September 1967 changes were every bit as radical as 1969s with the comic becoming more contemporary and relevant to 1967 readers after September that year. It must have been noticed even by those fine persons in DC Thomson’s that by 1967 the UK was in the midst of a cultural revolution via music, fashion , the media and the arts.

By August 1967, `Sparky` comic in particular of the Thomson’s stable was looking rather like a relic from the 19th century in the way it looked. Sales must have been poor as a radical move was decided upon, not just to change a few strips, but to overhaul half the comics content and to greatly modernise it’s masthead logo!

Regarding new strips, there were as many `ins` and `outs` as would take place in the legendary 1969 reshuffle and for the first time the emphasis was more on `fun pals` in the strip turnover. The logo change to a more symmetrical design gave the comic a contemporary look which was in contrast to the two rather antiquated logos (issues 1 – 34 and 35 – 139) it had sported to that date.

Below are the listings of the 23rd and 30th September 1967 comics (both weeks of the overhaul) this is because, unlike every other re-jigging where nearly all new stories were included in the first week; the 1967 renewal spread the new intake rather more evenly; six new stories issue 140, and three new ones in issue 141.
Below these listings is a list to show which characters / strips moved out and in over the weeks of 23rd and 30th September 1967.

* *


SPARKY NO 140, (23rd September 1967, 5d)

The first of the two weeks major overhaul saw not only six new stories / fun pals but a big change in the masthead design. The title /Logo changed radically to a straightened out `Sparky` in deep red, set against a custard yellow background. Horizontal lines above and below the logo gave a very symmetrical look to the title. The 5d price was now enclosed in a blue diamond shape. This is my favourite ever design of Sparky cover.

The free gift, as advertised above the new logo was “The Rip Snorter” a rasping balloon similar to issue No 1’s “Flying Snorter!


Page 1
`Sparky` Sparky plays a record he likes too loud upsetting his neighbours! Now back on the front cover-while the `Moonsters` swapped back to the back page- Sparky would remain here to the next big overhaul starting on issue 211. He would only appear on the `Funfare` section after that. I thought putting Sparky back on the cover was the one big mistake of the 1967 reshuffle!

Page 2
New `fun pal` `Deputy Dawg` The cartoon series had been a big success on the telly, so the comic gave a comic strip version a run out. A very puzzling move for Sparky comic as this was the only time they encroached onto `T.V Comic’s territory. Sadly, the comic version never matched the TV series and was soon dropped.

Page 3
`Peter Piper`

Pages 4 & 5
New Story, `David Copperfield` This story was the first in a series of adaptations by the comic of works by famous authors. The Charles Dickens classic was the first to be realised in this format. Artwork was quite superb!

Page 6
Top half, New `Fun Pal`, `Meddlesome Matty` Young girl tries to be helpful but it nearly always goes wrong. I quickly warmed to Matty, she reminds me a little of Melinda Messenger!

Bottom half, advert for Sparky book 1968.

Page 7
`Hungry Horace`

Pages 8 & 9
`My Grockle and Me` The final episode of this very funny adaptation on an old `fun pal` Possibly ended due to George Drysdale being ill-he would sadly pass away later in 1967.

Page 10
`Write to Sparky`
Pages 11
Full page advert for next week’s free gift (Target Tiddleywinks) and the three other new stories / Fun Pals!

Pages 12 & 13
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` A team of `wake` experts try to keep Dave and Dora from falling asleep-but it is all a dream!

Page 14
New `Fun Pal` `Tom Tardy` Drawn by Laura Gold, the artist who drew the departing `Cuckoo in the Clock` Young Tom can never get to School on time. This strip took a bi-weekly rotation with the `Pansy Potter` strip to issue 175 in May 1968. I thought that it was dull fare indeed.

Page 15
`Sparky’s Puzzles`

Pages 16 & 17
New story, `Davey Spacer in Giantland` Returning for a second run! Davy Spacer had first appeared in 1966 in a story where he was a giant on a planet of little people. The story was based loosely on Jonathan Swift’s `Gullivers Travels`. This second tale followed the Brobgdanian chapter where Davey is the small fellow in a Land of Giants.

Pages 18 & 19
`The Lonely Lad of Blue Lagoon`

Pages 20 & 21
`Prentice Pete` This was the final episode of this very hard to enjoy tale of a moronic Joiners apprentice! Pete made `Benny from Crossroads` seem like a towering intellectual colossus in comparison.

Page 22
`Harry Carry`

Page 23
New `Fun Pal` `Snapshot Sid` The comic adventures of a young free lance news photographer who got his picture by `hook or by crook`.

Page 24
`The Moonsters` now back on the rear of the comic, where they would see out their run to issue 199.



* * *



SPARKY No 141 (30th September 1967, 5d)


The comic was into its second week of the major overhaul. Above the title it advertised this week free gift; “Free inside; Target Tiddlywinks”.

Page 1
`Sparky` He goes camping this week, and though reminding himself, successfully not to forget the tin opener, he goes and forgets the tins.

Page 2
`Deputy Dawg`

Pages 3, 4 & 5
New Story! ` Big Ossie`. Yes! Yet another animal based story! This effort featured a tame Ostrich that was owned by Tim and Mary Parker. Supposedly set in 19th century South Africa, it had a 1960s look to it. At the time of first reading I found this story pretty poor fare, subsequent viewing only confirms my first opinion.

Page 6
Top half, New `Fun Pal`,`Charlie Chutney`. The comic adventures of a Cook which I found not very comical at all. Charlie would often share the same page as `Meddlesome Matty`. Bottom half an advert for `Flying Skimmer` free gift in next week’s `Hornet` comic.

Page 7
`Peter Piper`

Pages 8 & 9
`David Copperfield`.

Page 10
`Write to Sparky`

Page 11
`Keyhole Kate`

Pages 12 & 13
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora`. It’s fitness time with `Jim Nastic` and `Tramp O’ Leen`. This was one of the poorest Dave and Dora stories ever. This particular one was one of the first of stories filled with ever more silly puns and word bending phrases. Sadly, the strip lost most of its originality and became rather formularised with the James Malcolm drawn strips the worst offenders in my view.

Page 14
`Pansy Potter` The Pansy Potter strip would now become bi-weekly, rotating with new fun character `Tom Tardy`.

Page 15
`Sparky’s Puzzles`

Pages 16 & 17
New series! `Klanky` This was the first episode of Klanky’s second run in Sparky, the first had been in June to September 1966. Klanky’s rulers (on the yet unnamed home world he was constructed), decide to send him to Earth again in order to help human kind again. Klanky would become a firm favourite in the comic, appearing on and off up until 1974.

Pages 18 & 19
`Davey Spacer in Giantland`.

Pages 20 & 21
`The Lonely Lad of Blue Lagoon`

Page 22
`Hungry Horace`

Page 23
`Snapshot Sid`.

Page 24
Top three quarters is `The Moonsters`. Bottom quarter is a four panel preview titled “Four Fun Pals in a Pickle”. First panel is `Klanky`, who, in this colour panel, turns out to be red! Second panel `Snapshot Sid`, third is `Deputy Dawg, and fourth panel features new story `Tom Tardy` the boy who is always late for school!

This was a very comprehensive re-launch indeed! Below, I have listed those strips dropped and those introduced over the weeks of 23rd and 30th September 1967.

* *




SPARKY RE-LAUNCH of SEPTEMBER 23rd & 30th 1967.

New Strips Introduced, Issues 140 & 141.


In

`Deputy Dawg` (1 Page)

`Big Ossie` (2 Pages)
`Charlie Chutney` (1/2 Page)

`Meddlesome Matty` (1/2 Page)

`Snapshot Sid` (1 Page)

`David Copperfield` (2 Pages)

`Tom Tardy` (1 Page)

# `Klanky` (2 Pages)

# `Davey Spacer in Giantland` (2 Pages)

Strips marked with # sign were old characters returning.


Out

`The Slowdown Express` (1 Page)

`Balloon Family Robison` (2 Pages)

`Nosey Parker` (1 Page)

`My Grockle and Me` (2 Pages)

`Joe Bann and his Big Banjo` (1 Page)

`Granny Cupp and her Flying Saucer` (2 Pages)

`Cuckoo in the Clock` (1 Page)

`Prentice Pete` (2 Pages)


The weeks of 23rd and 30th September are a vital part of Sparky history. The comic had obviously been struggling in its sales and a big overhaul was needed. It was the change in fun characters that was most radical, with more `down to earth` characters that children could identify with, debuting.

As mentioned in the September listings, Davey Spacer returned; this time crash landing on planet Gargantua, populated by of giants. Every creature, including insects, possessed but one eye. Many of the creatures such as rabbits, cats and dogs could understand what Davey said to them, though they could not speak themselves.

The early part of the story, where Davey’s ship, the `Discovery` is taken away by inquisitive giants leaving Davey and Puff to try and chase after it, is by far the best part of the tale. At first, it seems the giants are a medieval society by the way many of them dress, but we later find out they are more advanced than late 20th century Earth in some ways. The giants themselves turned out to be friendly and their scientists led by Davey’s friend, Professor Dee, both repaired Davey’s ship and made their own craft based on Davey’s.

Davey in return was able to help them in certain ways. First and this is where the story takes a truly bizarre direction, in a battle against intelligent, but malevolent rats. The intelligent rodents lived in an underground city which was similar to 17th century Earth villages. Unlike their fierce but uncultured country rat cousins they could speak and walked on two feet! They had stolen some film from the Gargantuan scientists and were planning to attack the upper world, release all white rats in science labs and make slaves of those few Gargantuans they didn’t kill.

The rats caught Davey and were convinced that he was a minature Gargantuan spy. Living underground, they knew nothing of outer space and would not believe he came from somewhere called `Earth`.

One very weird scene in this part of the tale was when a captured Davey was shown sections of rat society including their armed forces. Davey asks about a troop of rats dressed as legionnaires and is told that those rats are from the hot areas of Gargantua and are `Desert Rats! ` OUCH!!

Davey, and Puff manage to escape the rat jail. They then set out to make contact with the other animals of the giant world including Cats, Rabbits and Dogs. All can quite easily understand what Davey says and they form an army and attack the rat city. Soon the rats are on the run and try to escape via a large ship on an underground sea. Davey throws grenades onto the ship and every rat is drowned. Presumably, unlike the country rats, these ones cannot swim!

The wiping out of every rat in that society by Davey and his animal friends was really rather brutal stuff for such a strip.

There was also a new breed of deadly wasps that could kill the giants with one sting. These too were `eliminated` by Davey, this time helped by intelligent rooks.

The grateful giants took Davey and the Discovery aboard their ship that they had copied from the Earth ship designs and once free of their planets massive gravitational pull set Davey’s ship on course for Earth. They gave Davey a huge diamond so that people on Earth would believe there was a race of friendly giants. This second `Davey Spacer` series ran to issue No 157, 20th January 1968, I enjoyed it very much.

Another 1966 character returning was `Big Klanky`, only from this second series he was titled just `Klanky`. Once more he came to earth to aid humanity, in particular Ernie and Sis Huggins. The second series shows Klanky, obviously back on his planet of origin facing short, bald headed aliens (who are seated behind desks) so readers knew he had alien masters, but not who they were or what their home planet was called. Only in the next series was more revealed on this subject.

The last episode of the first Klanky season had never shown him return home, so readers must have been puzzled when the Huggins children were suddenly missing him; a case of bad continuity there. An interesting facet of the first two Klanky series was the rocket he arrived in. In both series it was shown (in one panel only) to be the atypical version of a 1950s sci-fi rocket, cigar shaped and with four fins for stabilizing. In series three there would be a big change to such rockets from Klanky’s home world.

Once arrived, Klanky took off where he left off in helping the Huggins family and thwarting crooks and scoundrels. This, second run of Klanky’s adventures in Sparky lasted to issue No 160, 10th February 1968.

The `David Copperfield` strip which commenced in issue 140 was the first in a series of classic book adaptations the comic presented over the next year and a half to February 1969.

`David Copperfield` was presented in the format that pre `Dandy` comics had displayed fun strips (and the current Dandy strip `Black Bob` was shown) which was having no word balloons but strips of text along the bottom of each frame.
The `David Copperfield` strip in Sparky was an abbreviated version leaving out all of David’s later adventures. It ended at issue No 158, 27th January 1968.

The final new adventure story, titled `Big Ossie` was the final animal themed strip from issue No 141. He lived on a ranch owned by the parents of Tim and Mary Walker who befriended him. It was set in early 20th century South Africa and was as dull as ditchwater. Finally, the powers that be at the comic were realising that readers were tiring of these endlessly themed animal stories.

New fun pals `Charlie Chutney` (Chef), and `Snapshot Sid` (Photographer) had very real-life jobs. Fun pal youngsters `Tom Tardy` and `Meddlesome Matty` were basically ordinary characters who got themselves into comic, but believable scrapes.

The new `Tom Tardy` strip was rotated bi-weekly with the `Pansy Potter` strip until issue 175, 25th May 1968, leaving the `Pansy Potter` strip as a regular weekly effort to the end of its Sparky life in December 1975. Tom was a schoolboy who was always late for school. Drawn by Laura Gold, this pretty dull strip was full of harsh canings for Tom when he was late, which brings me to another…


Pause for Thought!

The `Tom Tardy` strip was the worst example in Sparky comic, and probably every other `fun` comic, for showing children being whacked unmercifully.

Of course corporal punishment was part of British comics up to the P.C 1980s and has to be seen in this context however, one or two `fun` strips did seem to revel in it. The `Tom Tardy` strip had a streak of sadism in it that I find abhorrent to a great degree. On one occasion, even his own Father is set to thrash him within an inch in a very brutal fashion until it is realised it is the Father’s school report on show, not Tom’s. His Teacher is a martinet of the worst kind. This fellow would be jailed today if he were a `real-life` teacher!

I do wonder about the mind-set of the staff at the comic who produce this material; they seem to be living in 1867 not 1967!

Daresay, I shouldn’t take it so seriously, but I find no humour in this sort of `punishment strip.


* *

Another new fun pal was `Deputy Dawg`. This is the only occasion that Sparky based a fun strip on a television based character. The cartoon series was a wonderfully funny and enjoyable affair. Unfortunately, the Sparky strip could not match it, and it departed on 16th March 1968 in issue No 165.

`Meddlesome Matty` was drawn by James Malcolm who was one of the artists on the `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` strip. Matty tried so hard to help people but nearly always made a mess of it. She looks to me like a young Melinda Messenger!

Matty was an update of the Dandy comic `Meddlesome Matty` from the late 1930s and 1940s. One difference between the 1940s and the 1960s Matty, was that the latter was far prettier! As with `Nosey Parker`, when Matty tried to genuinely help people it all went wrong which didn’t seem fair or funny to me. Other times though, she was far too `meddlesome` and rather deserved her regular comeuppance! Matty ran to mid 1969, issue 224, and was the longest lasting of the five new `fun pals` of the September 1967 intake.

`Charlie Chutney` who was yet another old Dandy comic character updated, this time from the 1944-47 original; was a cook whose fun adventures weren’t all that funny to me. He and Meddlesome Matty often occupied the same page in their respective half-page strips. Charlie sometimes made guest appearances in the `Hungry Horace` strip which was most logical. He departed in issue 209 in January 1969

`Snapshot Sid` was a young newspaper photographer who often got his `shot` by the most bizarre coincidence` he was drawn by Bob Webster. This strip wasn’t the least bit funny to me and I often ignored it totally. Sid took his last `shots` in issue 191, 21st September 1968. He was replaced the following week, issue 192, by `Cheating Charlie` on September 28th 1968.

Old characters, `Minnie Ha-Ha`, `Hockey Hannah`, `Freddie the Fearless Fly` ,`Joe Bann`, `Fireman Fred`, `Jeff Ye Jolly Jester`, `Nosey Parker`, `Cuckoo in the Clock`, Flubberface`, `The Slowdown Express` and `Winnie the Witch` were gone for good. The comic still had its share of fantasy, particularly `Davey Spacer` and `Klanky`, but there was now a more `down-to earth` feel to it.


* *


EVENTS OF 1967


Political happenings in 1967 were the pay freeze introduced by the government in spring that year. Heavy bye-election defeats for Labour occurred throughout 1967, especially the one to the Scottish nationalists. The Arab/Israeli `seven day war` took place in June leading to an overwhelming victory for the Israeli’s. In November the pound was devalued leading to Chancellor Jim Callaghan swapping posts with home secretary Roy Jenkins. And the Vietnam War still escalated.

Sport: and Manchester United won the league with Nottingham Forest second. In the F.A cup, in the very first all London final, Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea 2-1. Glasgow Celtic became the first UK side to win the European cup, beating Inter Milan 2-1.

Formula one; and due to the continuing new strictures on engine capacity, New Zealand’s Denny Hulme won the title from Jack Brabham. Most victories of the season (four) though came from Jim Clark.

Music: 1967 was a truly seminal year for music with the “Sgt Pepper” album and “Whiter Shade of Pale” single setting the standard. `Flower Power` bloomed over the summer along with many drug related `psychedelic` singles & albums. However, in the UK it was ballads that sold best. Also in 1967, Sandie Shaw became the first UK winner of the Eurovision song contest; Ireland came second.

Biggest selling UK single was “Release Me” from Englebert Humperdink at over a million sales. It stayed consecutively in the Record Retailer top 50 for 56 weeks. He scored the second biggest seller with another million plus hit “The Last Waltz” “A Whiter Shade of Pale” sold 810.000 in the UK giving it fourth largest UK seller just behind the Beatles “Hello Goodbye” in third at 830.000 sold.

Biggest UK selling LP was of course The Beatles “Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” at close to 900.000 by years end (It topped a million UK sales in mid 1973) It just edged out the year long selling soundtrack of “The Sound of Music”

In the US, the biggest selling single (at over 4.000.000) was the Monkees “I’m A Believer” beating Lulu’s “To Sir with Love” (over 2.500.000) into second. Biggest selling US album was “More of the Monkees” at over 4.000.000 actually beating “Sgt Pepper” though `Pepper` went over five million by late 1969. 1967 in US sales saw albums outsell singles for the very first time.

1967 was the year that Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Move, Cat Stevens and the Bee Gees all broke through. In the US, names such as Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, the Doors, Qucksilver Messenger Service etc all started making themselves known.

Sadly, the year in music suffered some fatalities. Two most prominent causalities were Beatles manager Brian Epstein who died of an accidental overdose over the August bank holiday. In December, soul legend Otis Redding died in a plane crash.

Event of the year was the June `Monterey Pop Festival` USA (San Francisco) which showcased the move away from purely pop music to rock. 1967 was a truly epic year in music history.

In films, notable successes were “The Dirty Dozen” and the Bond “You Only Live Twice” Clint Eastwoods Italian made (in 1964) “A Fistful of Dollars” released only in late 1967 in the US and made a fortune. Most incredible happening was the late 1967 release of “Bonnie and Clyde” which New York Times reviewer Bosley Crowther lambasted (Crowther had reviewed films since the late 1930s for the paper) The NYT received so many letters from young fans of the film accusing Crowther of being totally out of touch with the culture of the day that the paper dismissed him, brought in the much younger Pauline Kael, who praised the film unreservedly!

Television: A good year for TV in 1967 with shows such as “The Prisoner” and “A Magnum for Schneider” (The first of the “Callan” series) Gerry Anderson’s new “Captain Scarlett” offering was a vast departure from his earlier series in that not only were the puppets now properly proportioned, but the series eliminated any traces of humour and was (for the time) pretty violent and down beat. Anderson had wanted to make more “Thunderbirds” but was overruled by ATV Television mogul Lew Grade. Grade later admitted that it was one of his greatest errors.

The “Forsythe Saga” (starring Eric Porter, Nyree Dawn Porter and Kenneth More) was the first of the incredibly successful historical series made by the BBC. It was hugely successful in the US even though US television was now in colour (“Saga” made in B/W) the series even sold to the Soviet Union.

Colour television arrived on BBC 2 in July 1967 with coverage from that years `Wimbledon` tournament gaining the honour of very first colour transmission on UK TV. The first colour BBC2 entertainment series was a version of Thakery’s `Vanity Fayre` here starring Susan Hampshire as female protagonist `Becky Sharp` note! As “Becky Sharp” the novel had been the very first all full colour film back in 1935.



* *

Moving on to 1968 now!

1968 `Big Billy Bigg` And A Transitional Year.


The year 1968 would see the commencement of a series of changes to the comic that would culminate in another very large overhaul and re-launch in February 1969. It is a year I very much enjoyed the comic, particularly January to July 1968.

1968 began with `Big Ossie` ending in issue No 155, 6th January. It was replaced the following week, issue 156 by `The Magic Sword`. This Tony Speer drawn strip told of the trials of shepherd’s son, Kelman, who was tutored by Omar the wise man in order to overthrow the tyrant, Jask. The strip was a remake of a `prose` only story originally run in `Dandy` comic late 1937 to early 1938.

Kelman had to obtain a number of weapons that were guarded by ferocious beasts or in inaccessible places, in order to face the tyrant. Kelman finally defeated Jask in issue 168 dated 6th April 1968.

One wonderfully bizarre strip based on the Old Testament tale of Noah’s Ark was `The Floating Farrells` which commenced in issue No 158, 27th January, ending in issue 170, 20th April 1968. It doesn’t really stand up to close scrutiny in the logic or science of the storyline, but no matter! It was still great entertainment. I don’t know the identity of the artist, but he/she was one of those already working on the `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` strip to great effect, and would provide superb scenes here for readers of this strip.

Professor Farrell while viewing deep space through his observatory telescope espies a `space disturbance` on course for Earth. He predicts the `disturbance` once in contact with the planet’s atmosphere will trigger a `second flood` of world-wide proportions. The authorities, though accepting that the space phenomena `will` brush against the Earth’s atmosphere don’t believe his diagnosis of its effects, so, he and his family begin to construct a modern-day Ark; one that is spherical in shape.

The professor, his wife and children Mark and Sara strive to save as many land based animals as possible when the deluge begins. Seemingly, they were the only human survivors as they never met another person during the whole run of the strip.

One superb episode saw a giant squid, which looked more octopi in appearance, attack the ark in a weak spot (it had hit an iceberg some weeks past). The squid broke in via the weak spot and ripped open the Lion and Tiger cages. There ensued a tremendous battle between said squid and big cats which finally ended when the squid retreated. The Farrels drove the cats back to their enclosures using water hoses.

Finally, the waters started to recede leaving the Ark atop a New York skyscraper. The family began to move themselves and the animals to the ground, bit-by-bit. All of the run of the strip no other people were encountered, leaving readers wondering were the Farrell’s the last humans left alive on the planet?

I really enjoyed this strip, the artwork was superb and many of the stories were most inventive.

The Harriet Beechers Stowe story `Uncle Tom’s Cabin` was an ironic replacement in issue 159, 3rd February, for `David Copperfield`. This; in a comic with cover character `Sparky` does seem very contradictory indeed.

Nevertheless, it was an enlightening tale which told of the tragic life of Tom, a Negro slave whose devout belief in the teachings of the bible, helped sustain him right to his death by an evil plantation owner. It ended at issue 178, 15th June.

1968 was certainly the year of `Big Billy Bigg`. According to comic expert, Lewis Stringer, Billy was originally a Dutch cartoon character `Jerome` drawn by Willy Vandersteen. He was a sort of modern day `Desperate Dan` who also had an Aunt Aggie. No cow pies though! The strip bumped Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora from the colour middle two pages; Dave and Dora would see the rest of their days (to December 1968) in black and white.

The first Big Billy adventure began in issue 161, 17th February 1968. This opening story sees the `tube` aliens from Jupiter attempt to invade Earth for its supply of grass (garden variety) which they need to live on. They shrink Billy, Aunt Aggie along with their friends Professor Barabas and his accident prone assistant, Sylvie, all down to their size of about six inches!

The aliens themselves, once seen out of their `tubes` very much resemble the drawings of the `people-gathering` life forms in the illustrated editions of John Wyndhams “The Kraken Awakes” long black worm-like bodies with spiky topped heads and large eyes. The creatures are prepared to conquer the Earth to get enough grass, but Billy and friends propose if they give the creatures bags of grass seed, they can grow plenty for themselves. This idea is readily accepted by the Jupier residents and now becoming most friendly, they restore Billy and friends to their correct size and fly off back to Jupiter with enough bags of grass seed for their needs. It was good to see a peaceful resolution here which rather proves the series was `not` UK originated.

This first adventure ran for nine weeks to issue No 169, 15th April. Billy would soon return.

1968 also saw a little bit of female emancipation in the comic too! Firstly, replacing Big Billy Bigg for nine weeks, from issue 170, 22nd April, to No 178, 15th June 1968 (on the two colour centre pages) was `Clever Claire`. The strip was drawn by the Big Billy artist and it too looked European. Claire was a newspaper reporter who was a very capable lady who was helped by her photographer pal `Ginger Snap` and fellow reporter Sandy. Claire and her pals discover a boy, Jake, whose pet pig `Nose-Nose` can sniff out gold instead of truffles.

The story makes world headlines and comes to the attention of a South American dictator, Ferdinand Fiasco. Fiasco sends his agents to capture Jake and his pet. Claire and friends set off to rescue them. Eventually they succeed with help from rebels who want the country ruled fairly. Fiasco is deposed and `Nose-Nose` uncovered a huge hoard of buried Aztec gold that will be used to rebuild the country.

The lovely Claire was a breath of fresh air in the comic.

`Deputy Dawg` had ended in issue 165. His replacement in No 166, 23rd March was possibly the least likely `fun` strip aimed at the comics readers, The Snooks`. The Snooks was a sort of “Terry and June” strip (a good few years before Terry and June) featuring Leonard and Marie Snook.

They were a middle aged, middle class couple. They had two children with the daughter, Freda being far older than her brother Hubert. Freda was married and would sometimes appear with the two children who were Leonard and Marie’s grandchildren. They were a boy and girl called Jimmy and Jenny
Neighbours were the Crabb’s, who they sometimes argued with.

This `Terry and June` style comedy strip is still an enigma to me even now! Who on earth in the comics readership could it have been aimed at? Despite this though, and to be fair looking at it now, `The Snooks` (to me today) was actually a fairly amusing strip, especially with Leonard Snook having many a very funny mishap. It was also drawn by the `Billy Bigg` artist. The strip ran to issue 205, 21st December 1968.

Replacing `The Magic Sword` story in issue 169, 13th April, was the superbly drawn (by `Willy the Woeful Wizard` artist Bill Mainwearing) `Blondel the Wandering Minstrel`.

It was based on the supposedly true story of Richard the Lion heart’s Minstrel, Blondel, who travelled throughout central Europe trying to find where his king was being held captive. Blondel would play a certain song on his lute which only Richard knew the final verse to.

After many exciting adventures, Blondel discovered that Richard was held in Durrestein castle in Austria. Blondel then entered a jousting tournament in the castle and won it! Under the rules of chivalry he was then able to put his case to the Austrian prince holding Richard that the people of England would pay far more for Richard’s release than usurper, king John had paid to the prince keep Richard captive. It ran to issue 181, 6th July and was very enjoyable indeed!

Getting back to emancipation and the other strong female character in 1968 Sparky was `South Sea Suzie`. Running from issues 171 to 186, 27th April to 10th August it concerned a girl, Suzie, who became honorary Queen of a South Seas island. She was opposed by a Witch Doctor who held the islanders in his thrall by supposed strong magic. Suzie exposed him for the fake that he was by using common sense and modern (1960s) science. Apart from positive aspect of the strong lead female character though, the story was (in my view) pretty poor fare really and was another misjudged view of ethnic peoples in the way it portrayed the islanders.

Let us now take a look at a Sparky line up from mid 1968.



SPARKY No 183, 20th July 1968, 5d

Page 1
`Sparky` the living scarecrow.

Page 2
`Peter Piper` Guest character, `Big Billy Bigg`

Page 3
`Hungry Horace`

Pages 4 & 5
`Invisible Dick`

Page 6
`Snapshot Sid`

Page 7
`Write to Sparky`

Pages 8 & 9
`The Lonely Lad of Blue Lagoon` The final Sparky episode of what turned out to be a wonderful adventure strip.

Page 10
`Harry Carry`

Page 11
`Pansy Potter`

Pages 12 & 13
`Big Billy Bigg` The search for the lost professor Burton in darkest Africa.

Page 14
`The Snooks`

Page 15
`Sparky’s Puzzles`

Page 16 & 17
`South Seas Suzie`

Pages 18 & 19
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` The pair receive cooking hints from `Finny Haddock`.

Pages 20 & 21
`The Old curiosity Shop`

Page 22
Top half `Meddlesome Matty`. Bottom Half, two panels. Right one, `Win a Transistor radio`. Left panel, `Beano Summer Special 1968`.

Page 23
`Keyhole Kate`

Page 24
Top ¾ `The Moonsters`. Bottom ¼ Advert for next weeks new story `The Captive Kidds` A very loose re-make of 1965’s `The Kidnapped Kidds`.


* *

The second `Big Billy Bigg` series commenced issue No 179, 22nd June, lasting eight issues to No 186, 10th August. He is contacted by his friend Professor Barabas to help find professor Burton who has gone missing in Africa.
Billy is also aided by `Anna` a young Zulu girl. The depiction of Anna was, thankfully, very enlightened with no hint of condescending racism usually found in Thomson comics. Obviously this would be because the strip originated in Belgium where the sort of British outlook on coloured peoples would not be anywhere so prevalent.

Billy did track down Burton, only to discover that he wasn’t missing, but had set up an ivory poaching outfit. Big Billy soon sorted things out. Anna decided to stay in Africa.

The `Tom Tardy` strip ended in issue 175, 25th May, leaving the `Pansy Potter` strip a weekly offering. `Pansy Potter` was now solely drawn by Bob Webster, who in my opinion did his finest work for Sparky in this strip. Webster began introducing Pansy’s Mom and Dad (Bill Hill `Never` featured her strongman Father) he also introduced into the strip a semi-regular charcter that will be discussed in the 1969 chapter.

`Uncle Tom’s Cabin` ended in issue 178, 15th June, to be followed from issues 179 to 198, 22nd June to 2nd November, 20 episodes of `The Old Curiosity Shop` This was the Charles Dickens tale of the evils of gambling and unfettered greed which led to a double tragedy to young heroine Little Nell and vile money lender Daniel Quilp. It was a beautifully drawn affair, which I am told first appeared in `Bunty` comic a few years earlier.

On 13th July, issue 182; I was dismayed as `Invisible Dick` returned. Sadly, it was no improvement on the 1967 season, in fact, to me; it seemed to become even more monotonous. Unlike its relatively short 1967 run, this time it continued weekly to issue 499 (bar a one week break in Christmas 1973) 17th August 1974. A run of 317 episodes, if you exclude the one-week break, the longest run consecutively for a `non-fun` strip (it was certainly no fun for me!) in the comics history. I really have to admit here of my utter puzzlement at why such-as I saw it- an awfully boring strip would continue for so long! Perhaps every other Sparky reader enjoyed `Invisible Dick` and only I found it a waste of two pages each week. Yes! Maybe I am the only `Sparky` reader to totally dislike the strip.

`The Lonely Lad of Blue Lagoon` strip finally ended in issue 183 after a thrilling adventure where he was trapped on the far side of the island, firstly in underground volcanic caverns and then in a gorge with impassable sides. Ken faced giant crabs, giant spiders, Manta rays, huge colonies of beetles etc while inside the caverns. Best of all, in two episodes where Ken and Tommy were trying to find an exit via a home made raft they used on the underground river system, both encountered deadly `sentient` seaweed. That really scared me back in 1968. The scenes inside the volcanic caves were most ably drawn by Bill Holroyd with wonderfully intricate caverns and rock formations that were a visual delight.

When Ken did eventually get free to the `outside` world, he found himself on the far side of the island with a high backbone of mountainous ridges blocking his way back to his familiar part of the island. Hindering Ken’s (and Tommy’s) way further was a huge condor which became a constant nuisance to both until Ken was forced to kill it in order to finally traverse the mountain peak leading him back to his side of the island. The storyline was most enthralling, with these final adventures superbly drawn by Bill Holroyd. Note! I have been informed that Ken/Larry’s adventures carried on (there had been another series in `Hotspur` comic) but with different artist’s at the helm. I think `Sparky` comic finished the repeats at the best (and most enjoyable) juncture.

Replacing the lonely lad in issue 184, 27th July 1968, was `The Captive Kidds`. Contrary to the stated view of author Graham Kibble-White, this was not a sequel to 1965s `The Kidnapped Kidds`.

It was set in the Balkans sector of Europe just after World War Two. Robert and Margaret Kidd and their children Pat, Ann and Nicky are on their way by train to look after army horses as Robert Kidd is a veterinary surgeon. The train is hijacked by rebels of the country Sardia who think the medical supplies are actually weapons bound for the government.

The Kidds are held captive by the rebels, some of whom are ruthless killers. After some adventures the family are freed when government forces manage to track down the rebels. It ran to issue No 195, 12th October.

Issue No 187, 17th August, saw the very first Western themed strip start in the comic. This was `Sacramento Here we Come` which ran to issue 197, 26th October.

It told the story of youngsters Tim and Sal (surnames not given) who were accompanied across 19th century Arizona by guide Tim. They had to reach their father who was a colonel at a fort in Sacramento. It was the usual western style fare, mildly entertaining, but nothing special.

Issue 187 also saw the third Billy Bigg adventure commence. This one was where Billy is sent back in time via Professor Barabas time machine to where hidden treasure was secreted in `Chumley Castle`.

The castle’s 20th century residents, Jimmy Hick-Jones and his Mom, need the money to upkeep the castle which is now their home. The unscrupulous Baron Sly has made her a derisory offer for the castle which Billy advised her to turn down.

As soon as she did this, the castle suddenly became infested with `ghosts` who turned out to be only too human (Sly and his men).

This is the one `Big Billy Bigg` story I have least recollection of. It ran nine episodes to issue No 195, 12th October 1968, followed by another Billy adventure the following week.

On September 14th (issue No 191, the regular letters page and the puzzles page were combined into a two page `Funfare` section, combining both. One interesting letter in the 28th September issue came from one Charlotte Brain of Chippenham Wiltshire, telling of the family holiday that May in Paris being caught up in the Paris riots. Very topical!

Issue 191, September 14th; saw the final `Snapshot Sid` fun strip. It was replaced the following week, issue 192 by `Cheating Charlie` who I think was drawn by Bob Webster. He was quite unsavoury indeed! Charlie used dodges, lies, deception-in fact almost any connivance to get his way! There must have been letters to the paper about what was a possible bad influence on its young readers as Charlie was part of the February 1969 cull. The strip most certainly had many funny moments as Charlie was so unsavoury that readers (I certainly did) must have very much enjoyed seeing his many `comeuppances` as his cheating schemes (always) fell to bits. Charlie often ended up physically `battered` in most episodes.


Pause for Thought!

I can’t be certain, but portraying an adult in such an unsavoury light might have been seen as a bad influence on young readers. Unlike fantasy villainous adults such as `Grimly Feendish` in `Wham` and `Smash` or `super villains` in sci-fi strips, or even as career criminals as `Beezer` comic’s `The Bad Ladds` Charlie was an `everyday` person who could have easily been a father/husband etc! He seemingly held down (how!!?) a regular job and lived alone in a semi-detached abode. So in many ways-outside his cheating-he was a regular adult character.

To show such a person having no scruples or an honest bone in his body could have been a step too far! `Dennis the Menace` was acceptable as he was a young boy; but he never would be as an adult who still had the same `outlook` this is why, in my view, `Cheating Charlie had to be halted after just a few months.


* *

As stated, the fourth, and best in my view, `Big Billy Strip` began in issue 196, 19th October. This saw a compatriot of Professor Barabas, Professor Beanhoff, make off with a new `growing serum` that both had invented.

Pursued by Billy, Beanhoff sprayed the serum across Barabas back garden turning it into a jungle-like landscape with gigantic plants and immense insects. A colossal stag beetle turned out to be a very tough customer indeed!

Billy and his Aunt Aggie had to brave the hostile territory in order to track down Beanhoff. Finally coming to his senses, the rogue scientist relented what he’d done and helped Barabas to perfect an antidote.

It was quite my favourite of the Big Billy adventures, wonderful stuff! It lasted eight episodes to issue 203, 7th December. Yet another `Big Billy` story followed it from issue 204.

Issue 193 began `Sailor Brown’s Schooldays` which told of young Robbie Brown’s training as a 19th century sea cadet. It ran to issue 210, 25th January 1969 and was very dull indeed!

Issue 198 saw the second western style strip to occupy the comic, this was `The Boyhood of Deadwood Dick`. Young Dick helps out his friend sheriff Dan Hooper when assorted gunslingers and badmen threaten the township. Basically, that’s about the sum of it. The strip ran to issue 210, 25th January 1969.

On 9th November issue 199 one of the comics stalwart fun strips finally ended. Losing the `Moonsters` was like saying goodbye to an old friend you had known for years. I never found the strip hilarious, but did quite like it. It was to be replaced by a fun pal who would soon become the cover star.

Pause for Thought!

I have a theory as to why the Moonsters were terminated. By mid 1968 the American Apollo Moon shots were very much in the news. People (and children) were becoming educated via television as to what conditions on Earths natural satellite were like. I think the strip ended because it was so at odds with reality, and though just a `fun strip` was possibly seen as interfering with children’s perception of a real life historical event.

So, Peter and Penny seemingly never made it back to Earth! Perhaps they, and the Moonsters were on hand to greet Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin the following July 20th.

* *

Issue 199 also saw the commencement of the comics last adaptation of a classic book, R.M Ballantyne’s `The Coral Island which replaced `The Old Curiosity Shop``. This was the 19th century set tale of the shipwrecking of three pals, Ralph Rover, Jack Martin and Peterkin Grey, on said coral island.

This time the strip reverted to `normal` by reintroducing the word balloons, I think it worked better this way. One of the most heartrending parts of the story is when Peterkin who has been captured by pirates, befriends Bill, the one pirate who has good in him.

Bill helps Peterkin to escape but is wounded. After a fall against the ships wheel during a storm as they complete their escape, Bill finally succumbs to his wounds in a truly moving scene. The death of Bill is one of the most pathos filled episodes you could ever read. The strip ran to issue 210.

There was a change of Editor somewhere in late 1968 with Ian Chisolm taking the helm from Bill Mann. Chisolm obviously decided that the comic needed another drastic overhaul; he started the changes piecemeal at first. Below is the line up from issue No 199 dated 9th November 1968.



SPARKY No 199 ( 9th November 1968, 5d)


Page 1
`Sparky`. `Sparky` misses the bus.

Page 2
`Peter Piper`

Page 3
`Hungry Horace`

Pages 4 & 5
`Invisible Dick`

Pages 6 & 7
`Funfare` The letters page and puzzles pages were now combined in a double page spread. The `Sparky` character still hosted these pages.

Pages 8 & 9
`Sailor Brown’s Schooldays`. The story of 19th century sea cadets. Very boring.
Page 10
Top half, `Charlie Chutney`. Bottom half, ad for Dandy and Beano books 1969.

Page 11
`Pansy Potter`

Pages 12 & 13
`Big Billy Bigg`. In what I regard as his best story, Billy is faced with the results of an experimental growth serum that `rogue` scientist Professor Beanhoff had dosed an everyday garden with. Soon all plants and insects are a hundred times their normal size! Wonderful stuff!

Page 14
`The Snooks`

Page 15
`Harry Carry`

Pages 16 & 17
`The Boyhood of Deadwood Dick`. The adventures of an orphaned youth in the old `Wild west`.

Pages 18 & 19
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora`. The sleepy couple meet a `Lightning Conductor`.

Pages 20 & 21
`The Coral Island` The final adaptation of classic novels, this was Sparky comics take on the novel by R.M Ballentyne in which three youths are shipwrecked on a South-Seas coral island.

Page 22
`Cheating Charlie`. This was the comic adventures of a cheating rogue. Charlie would do anything to get his way in various humorous situations. He always ended up losing badly. This strip only lasted a bare four months; possibly it was felt by incoming editor, Ian Chisolm, that the character might be a bad role model for readers.

Page 23
`Keyhole Kate`

Page 24
Top three quarters, `The Moonsters`. Making `Guy’s` for ` Guy Fawkes night`. This was the very last `Moonsters` strip. It was like losing an old friend that you had known for years! Though I had never found the strip more than vaguely amusing, I felt a pang of sorrow when realising they would be gone forever.

Bottom quarter, “It’s A Dog’s Life, Next week, and every week with `John Bull Dog”. The replacement strip for the `Moonsters` John Bull Dog was, of course, soon to be cover strip, `Barney Bulldog`. We never found out why his name got changed.
* *


This edition of Sparky was the start of a series of changes to the comic that would alter its outlook as radically as the 1967 re-haul.

I am perhaps the one `Sparky` fan who doesn’t really find the 1 February re-launch really that seismic. Maybe if the `Moonsters` and `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` had both carried on up to 25 January 1969, I think that maybe perhaps I``would` agree on the 1 February changes as the comics biggest and most influential overhaul.

I believe that new editor Ian Chisolm actually joined the comic in October 1968 and started a piecemeal style change first with dropping old characters gradually, before undertaking a further overhaul on 1 February 1969.

If anyone has any info on the exact date Mr Chisolm helmed the comic I am happy to be corrected. Until such correction my view is that he took over as editor in around October 1968.

`John Bull Dogg` had replaced the `Moonsters` in issue 200, 16th November. He would soon replace `Sparky` as cover star, becoming `Barney Bulldog` and lasting in that role for over five years. He was drawn by Bill Ritchie who’s most famous creation was `Baby Crockett` for the `Beezer` comic.

The 14th December issue, No 204 saw the final Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora adventure (in the land of `pairs`) Again, it was like saying goodbye to an old friend. In truth though, the strip had become, sadly, rather repetitive with only small variations on the same storyline; a far cry from its truly innovative early days. One move that didn’t help the strip was putting a new artist (whose name I don’t know, and it’s probably for the best I don’t) who `drew` some of their adventures June to September 1968.

In my opinion I am sorry to find them the poorest drawn strips I have ever encountered in `any` fun comic. The artwork is really below par to my eyes and I am surprised it was allowed at all! I know it is not sporting to criticise a person’s work when they can’t answer back, but I really must make my view that I felt this standard of art did not do the strip any favours at all. But, it is just my personal opinion.

The strip `L. Cars` drawn by Bill Hill replaced Dave and Dora the following week. Based loosely on the TV series “Z. Cars”; it lasted right through to the comic’s final edition in July 1977. The strip featured portly `Frederick` and rake thin `Cedric` the L.Car drivers and their boss the `Inspector` the only other semi-regular character was the Chief Constable who made occasional appearances!

The pair would catch crooks by a mixture of cunning and luck. The inspector (his name was never divulged) was loosely based on Peter Sellers `Clouseau` character from the `Pink Panther` films; in fact one later episode played on this similarity as an `in joke`.

Sadly, this strip presented in two 1970s episodes, what were, in my view, two examples of quite the most badly misjudged examples of `racial stereotyping` possibly ever seen in a 1970s comic. Proof of, to me, that in some aspects, just how out of touch Thomson’s were with UK society at that time.

`Big Billy Bigg` commenced his final centre pages adventure from issue 204. This time Billy was up against master world criminal `Krimson` a fellow who stole many of the world’s greatest monuments such as the Eiffel tower and Taj Mahal temple by using a miniaturising device on them.

This was the most violent of Billy’s adventures. Landmines, electrified doors and machine guns were employed against our hero to little effect as Billy fought his way into the criminals H.Q.

The adventure ended after seven episodes in issue 210, but Billy would be back for one final adventure in Sparky in 1969.

The `Sparky` book 1969 had come out in September 1968. It featured the Moonsters again on the front cover having fun in the snow. The cover colour scheme was predominately black and white. Here is the line-up of contents.



SPARKY BOOK 1969. Contents.

The Road to Calvary #
Sparky
Tom Tardy
Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora
The Slowdown Express
Keyhole Kate
Peter Piper
Wee Tusky
Prentice Pete
Nosey Parker
Winnie the Witch
Hungry Horace
Quick Dick #
Pansy Potter
Harry Carry
Stone Age Stella #
Cuckoo in the Clock
Willie the Woeful Wizard
Lonely Wood
The Moonsters
Invisible Dick
Granny Cupp and her Flying Saucer
Freddie the Fearless Fly
My Grockle and Me
Riders of the New Forest #

Strips with # sign were non-comic strips.


On 28th December issue 206 `Spoofer McGraw` entered the comic replacing the Snooks who had said goodbye in issue 205, 21st December. Drawn by Gordon Bell, this was an inventive strip with over-smart schoolboy `Spoofer` inventing ever wilder explanations to his dull witted friends, `Bo`, questions. Later, readers were offered cash prizes if a written question of theirs was used in the strip. I must admit that after a while I did find the `Spoofer` character rather smug and annoying in his `superior` attitude-but! So did many other readers if the “Ask Spoofer” section that was allotted in the `Funfare` section is any guide.

1968 saw the only occasions that the `Hungry Horace` strip which lasted from issue No1 to the final issue 652, actually dropped out for a few odd weeks during the year. Apart from 1968 and one absence in 1977, it was continuous. The other No 1 onwards strip, `Keyhole Kate` also missed a `couple` in 1968, but that strip would miss more episodes in the 1970s before terminating ahead of the comic itself. 1968 had also been a transitional year; in particular the second half of the year saw the comic moving toward the style that it is best remembered for by fans today.


* *


EVENTS OF 1968.


1968 was a pretty violent year with world wide protest, especially regarding the Vietnam War. In March in the UK the most violent street scenes for years saw anti-war protestors clash with the police outside the US embassy in Grosvenor square. In Northern Ireland on 5 October, a civil rights march was broken up violently by the protestant `B` special police, leading to the outbreak in 1969 of `The Troubles`. On 20 April 1968, Conservative shadow minister Enoch Powell, in Birmingham, made his notorious “Rivers of Blood” speech. He was sacked by leader Edward Heath, but drew great support from the white working class, especially in East London and the West Midlands. Mirroring the racial themes highlighted the youth fashion of `Skinheads` which originated in both regions in mid 1968.

The US endured a troubled year in 1968. Firstly there were the televised scenes of the surprise `Tet` offensive on 30 January, bringing home to US citizens that their forces were nowhere near winning in Vietnam. Then in April in a televised broadcast, President Johnson declared he would not seek re-nomination in that November’s election. Later in April, civil rights leader, Martin Luthor King was assassinated. If that were not bad enough in the elections themselves, Robert Kennedy was also killed by the gun. On a brighter note, that Christmas, Apollo Eight and its crew went right around the Moon making the US clear favourites (over the Soviet Union) to achieve a manned Luna landing in 1969.

Sport: and in a close five way finish, Manchester City, edged out neighbours Manchester United to the championship with Liverpool, Leeds and Everton a close third, fourth and fifth. FA cup winners were West Bromwich Albion, who beat Everton 1-0 (in extra time) in a very dull final. Goal scorer Jeff Astle, became the first player to score in every round. Manchester United became the first English side to win the European Cup. They beat F.C Benfica of Portugal 4-1 after extra time at Wembley in the final.

Motor Racing; and Formula one saw the tragedy of the death of Jim Clark in a formula two race on 7 April in Hockenheim Germany. Clark’s death overshadowed Graham Hill’s winning the Formula One championship closely followed by the vastly improving Jackie Stewart. Tennis and 1968 saw the first `open` Wimbledon tournament where the professional players were now competing in the event for the first time since 1962. Australian Rod Laver won the title and achieved the grand slam of Australian, French and US titles along with Wimbledon. No one since has equalled Lavers (men’s) achievement.

Politics encroached into cricket in 1968 when England pulled out of a tour of South Africa due to that country’s refusal to accept coloured player Basil D’ Olivera as part of the England team. By 1970, South Africa would be banned in most major world sporting tournaments. On a brighter cricketing note, in the one day league Gary Sobers achieved six six’s from poor Nash’s (of Glamorgan) bowling.

In the world of music, what was termed the `underground` began to achieve good album sales for acts such as Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac and the Nice. Following the US trend, 1968 saw the first time that LP sales outstripped singles in the UK.

Biggest UK selling single was the Beatles “Hey Jude” only 800.000 plus though in the first year since 1961 that no UK single reached a million sales. The Beatles also scored biggest UK selling album late in the year with their eponymous double set. The second biggest LP seller of 1968 the “Sound of Music” soundtrack became the first LP (in October) to pass 2.000.000 sales since its 1965 release.

In the US the Beatles “Hey Jude” also won the singles sellers at well over 4.500.000 sales. They also topped the LP sales, again with their two set “The Beatles”.

Notable films of 1968 were `2001, A Space Odyssey` `Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang` `The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and `The Killing of Sister George`. Television: the `Avengers` began its last original season with Linda Thorson now partnering Patrick Macnee. `Dad’s Army` began that year and would last longer than the war ever did! Controversial Nigel Kneale play “The Year of the sex Olympics” successfully predicted today’s `reality television` viewer mentality.


* *

Giant squid versus lions and tigers? Sounds excellent.

alanultron5 wrote:At the time I had no idea this was a contemporary version of the old 1920s `Rover` and `Dandy`(1937-39) comic strip, `Jimmy Johnson’s Grockle'.

Just by way of clarification, Alan, the original Jimmy Johnson's Grockle, which started in The Rover in February 1932, wasn't a comic strip as you seem to be suggesting. It was a humorous text serial that was so popular that it ran for 22 weeks.

Thanks Phoenix! As I don't know much about pre 1950s strips I can't be spot on when mentioning them! As long as folks get the jist- that's what I hope for! I'm more concerned in the accuracy of my actual `Sparky` data 1965-77, but many thanks for correction!

Yes Niblet! That story was superb! The Squid/Lion/Tiger battle was a highlight!

And now for Rab (ISPYSHHHGUY'S) Smith's favourite year - 1969!

1969, `I. Spy` Barney Bulldog` `Puss N’ Boots and `Big` Changes!


Into 1969 and big changes were on the way. Issue 209, 18th January saw the final of James Malcolm’s `Harry Carry` strip and the last meal cooked by `Charlie Chutney`. `John Bull Dogg` left the back page, only to arrive on the front cover of issue 211 as `Barney Bulldog`.

Below is a line up of issue 209 the penultimate pre-change issue, followed by the strips / characters turnover in February 1969.


SPARKY No 209 (18th January 1969, 5d)


Page 1
`Sparky` `Sparky` buys a new bed. After his final appearance on next weeks cover, the `Sparky` character would be demoted to hosting the `Funfare` page; which he had been doing since September 1968 anyway. Promoted to front cover `star` from 1st February would be name changed (from John Bull Dogg) `Barney Bulldog`.

Personally, I doubt if racial worries removed the `Sparky` character as racial stereotyping was quite evident in many of its humour strips right up to its final edition in July 1977. My theory is the writers had run out of ideas for the character! He still appeared in `character` to promote the `Sparky` book 1971 and 1972.

Page 2
`Peter Piper`

Page 3
`Hungry Horace`

Pages 4 & 5
`Invisible Dick`

Pages 6 & 7
`Funfare`

Pages 8 & 9
`Sailor Browns Schooldays`

Page 10
Top half, `Charlie Chutney`. Last episode. From Feb 1st `Harry Presto` would occupy the half page slot. Bottom half, left panel, `Win a free `Model Miss comb and mirror set in Diana` Right panel, “Write to Sparky”.

Page 11
`Pansy Potter`

Pages 12 & 13
`Big Billy Bigg`. This was the episode where a limpet mine, electrified door and a barrage of machine guns were used in attempts by `Krimson` to eliminate Billy.

Page 14
`Spoofer McGraw`

Page 15
`Harry Carry`. Last episode.

Pages 16 & 17
`The Coral Island`

Pages 18 & 19
`L.Cars`

Pages 20 & 21
`The Boyhood of Deadwood Dick`

Page 22
`Cheating Charlie`. Charlie would finish next week (25th Jan) to be replace by `Helpful Henry`, one of the 1st February new intake.

Page 23
`Keyhole Kate`

Page 24
Top three quarters, `John Bull Dogg`. J.B would be back in two weeks replacing `Sparky` on the front page and becoming `Barney Bulldog`. Bottom quarter, “Great news about next week’s free gifts”.

* *

The next week, issue 210 announced on the back page that there were to be five new fun pals (there were actually more!) and a free gift of the `Flip Frog`. As with 1967, the changes of 1st and 8th February 1969 were very comprehensive and quite radical especially with the emphasis on phasing down `adventure` strips for more of the `fun` strips. There were more adverts on Television (though I must have missed them) Newsagents displays and `pink fliers` for the `overhaul` It would be the last of the truly huge revamps to the comic; after 1969, only lesser re-jigging was attempted.

As stated, on 25th January, issue 210, five new `fun pals` were advertised on that weeks back page; `Klanky and Faithful Hound`, `I. Spy, the Shhh Guy`, `The Sparky People`, `Esky Mo` and `Cap’ N’ Hood and his Merry Men` (who commenced on 8th February).

`Klanky` was actually an old character (who debuted in Sparky mid 1966), though `Faithful Hound` was new. Another new strip `Wyatt Twerp` was only announced on bottom of final `Tom Browns Schooldays` episode, and Helpful Henry` at the bottom of the final `Cheating Charlie` page. There was no mention of the `Harry Presto` or `Jungle Ark` strips at all!

The logo changed again to red curved written `Sparky` with the firework style tail of stars shooting from the bottom of the `Y` in the title.

Pause for thought!

As I mentioned in the listing of issue 209, the comic didn’t suddenly `see the light` regarding possible `racist` caricaturing when demoting the `Sparky` character. In fact it presented many examples of this through the 1970s. The `Invisible Dick` strip in a two-part story in April 1969 featured a `White Hunter` and his native servant. It is repulsive in the extreme!

In one episode of the `Willie Getaway` strip in January 1972; Willie `blacked himself up in an attempt to avoid detection. A coloured man recognised him with the words “Hey man, you’re Willie Getaway, gone blackaway!” subtle stuff indeed!

Worst of all was a 1974 episode from issue 500, 17th August. It was the `L. Cars` strip titled `Illegal Immigrants`. This strip is beyond belief in its levels of ignorance. I believe if any comic were to run an identical strip of this kind today, it would most likely be removed from the shelves. Thankfully, such ignorance was not too common in the comic’s life.

* *

The overhaul does come across as very comprehensive very quickly as all but one of the nine new strips (`Cap’n Hood and his Merry Men`) entered on issue 211 - `Hood` began in 212. So, it really did seem as though Sparky comic changed overnight! Here is the line up for issue 211.


SPARKY 211, (1st FEBRUARY 1969) 5d.

`Free gift, the `Flip-Frog`

Page 1
`Barney Bulldog` No reason for name change from John to Barney given, but he was the same character from issues 200-209. Barney would become the comics longest lasting cover `star`.

Page 2
`Peter Piper`
Page 3
New `Fun Pal` - `Esky Mo` He was a sort of north pole `Little Plum` type character. I’m afraid that I never found the strip very funny or original. It departed in the 1970 overhaul.

Pages 4 & 5
`L.Cars`

Page 6
Top Half, New `Fun Pal` - `Harry Presto` Conjurors son `Harry` uses his dad’s hat to pull out assorted objects! Only ran to issue 224.
Bottom half `Meddlesome Matty`

Page 7
New `Fun Pal` - `I. Spy` The start of perhaps Sparky comics best strip in it’s history! The one page `I. Spy` strip started out a comedy based feature but soon it began to evolve into a superb plot based near-adventure style offering! It was drawn wonderfully by Les Barton. It became the highlight of the comic for me.

Pages 8 & 9
New Story, `Klanky` This was the third series of Klanky’s adventures. He won’t answer the recall command from home planet `J` and so his `masters` construct a robot detective along with robot dog, `Faithful Hound` to fetch him back! Klanky soon teamed up with Faithful Hound and defied orders to return.

Page 10
`Pansy Potter`

Page 11
New `Fun Pals` - `We Are the Sparky People` The `fictional adventures of the staff who put together the comic. Obviously nothing like reality-because the comic would have never got out if it were! This strip was the only one of the 1969 `intake` to last into comic’s final year 1977.

Pages 12 & 13
New `Fun Pal` - `Wyatt Twerp` This was a Ron Spencer drawn strip featuring the somewhat inept Wild West sheriff, Wyatt Twerp. It didn’t last too long, though `Twerp` would return in 1970 albeit slightly redrawn (same artist though!)

Page 14
`Spoofer McGraw`

Page 15
`Hungry Horace`

Pages 16 & 17
`Invisible Dick`

Pages 18 & 19
`Fun Fare`

Pages 20 & 21
New Story, `The Jungle Ark` The story of Luana who was rescued by people trying to save animals in a part of flooded Africa.

Page 22
New `Fun Pal` -`Helpful Henry` these were the `fun` adventures of a helpful schoolboy who always got it wrong! Henry was a male version of `Meddlesome Matty` though more help than meddle was intended, the result was the same-chaos! I really loved this strip which was dynamically drawn by Hugh Morren (his most famous character was the Dandy’s `Smasher`) I was most surprised when Henry departed on issue 230.

Page 23
`Keyhole Kate`

Page 24
Full page advert for next week’s free gift, the “Zoomer Boomerang”

* *

Issue 211 featured the most radical turnover of strips in any single issue of Sparky with eight new stories/Fun pals joining that issue, leaving only `Cap’n Hood and His `Merry Men` of the new intake to join a week later in issue 212. It was the start of a new direction for the comic who would, for a year or two, try to appeal to an older readership than stable mates the `Dandy` and `Beano`.

Let us now take a look at those new strips, and those departing in issues 211 and 212, 1st and 8th February 1969.



SPARKY RELAUNCH of FEBRUARY 1st & 8th 1969

New strips issues 211 & 212


Out

`Sailor Browns Schooldays` (2 Pages)

`Charlie Chutney` (1/2 Page)

`Big Billy Bigg` (2 Pages) * Note! Billy would return once more in mid 1969.

`Harry Carry` (1 Page)

`The Coral Island` (2 Pages)
`The Boyhood of Deadwood Dick` (2 Pages)

`Cheating Charlie` (1 Page)

`Sparky` (1 Page)


In

`Esky Mo` (1 Page)

`Harry Presto` (1/2 Page)

`I. Spy` (1 Page)

# `Klanky` (2 Pages)

`We are the Sparky People` (1 Page)

`Wyatt Twerp` (2 Pages)

`The Jungle Ark` (2 Pages)

`Helpful Henry` (1 Page)

`Cap’n Hood and his Merry Men` (1 Page)


Strips marked with # are old strips returning.


Unlike some Sparky fans, I don’t see the Feb 1 changes as a real watershed, just another step in the direction the comic had mapped out over the weeks of 23rd and 30th September 1967. Of the new strips/ Fun pals, only `I. Spy` and `We are the Sparky People` would turn out to be real successes.

I do concede that for the vast majority the 1st Feb re-launch was a cathartic moment in the comic’s history. It was the start of a change of direction by the comic through 1969, 1970 and 1971.

What is clear from these changes is the increase in `fun pals` with the decrease in `adventure` strips. By 1974 the adventure strips would be completely phased out apart from `Invisible Dick` and `Mr Bubbles` reprints.

Though the `Sparky` character was demoted to hosting the `Funfare` pages (to 1973) the comic was still racially naïve to say the least. The previously mentioned `Invisible Dick` strip that I highlighted for this `fault` (April 1969) portrayed a coloured character in such a way that looks in today’s (2011) climate, quite awful. No! Sparky didn’t suddenly become; as we term it now, P.C overnight. It still produced racial stereotypes such as 1974s `Baron Reisch Pudding` the WWI `Hun` who shot down more of his own men than the enemy.

The comic now titling itself `Sparky, the big comic for boys and girls` did seem to be boosted by these 1969 changes though and sales must have increased a little.

Back to the new intake, `Esky Mo` was basically a North Pole version of the Beano’s `Little Plum`. It was drawn by Bob Nixon. Unlike `Little Plum` it never really took off and ended in the lesser overhaul of January 1970.

`Wyatt Twerp` who occupied the colour centre pages was an inept sheriff in the wild west. This strip was drawn by Ron Spencer who had drawn the `Sparky` character from 1966 to 1969. `Wyatt Twerp` wasn’t very inventive in my view and only lasted a few months to June 1969.

One of the 1st February intake that `was` successful was `We Are the Sparky People` drawn by Jim Petrie, this was the wholly fictitious adventures of those crazy people who put the paper together.

Readers were introduced to head writer `Throgmorton`, the overweight `Joke Man`. We met the bohemian `Artist`. There was office typist `Julie` whose mini-skirted legs were obviously based on Cilla Blacks. There was young office boy `Dick`, the ancient mariner look-alike `Printer` and finally office cat, `Puss`.

All lived in fear of tyrannical editor `Sir` whose face was never seen, but his boot (for kicking his staff) was often on show.

Readers were asked to send in drawings of what they thought sir looked like to win cash prises. A cruel rumour has gone around that `Sir’s` features `did` appear in the comic in 1970. They were supposedly the template for the facial features of `fun` character `Spider` who was forever failing to catch the title character of the `I. Fly` strip! It was said to be an `in-joke` which Editor Ian Chisholm was only told about a couple of years later! Be nice if this `rumour` is true.

`Helpful Henry` was a male version of `Meddlesome Matty`. He was drawn by Hugh Morren whose most famous character was the Dandy’s `Smasher`. The `Henry` strip was wonderfully inventive and had lots of bangs crashes and explosions each week as Henry’s good deeds went wrong. I was very sad and surprised when Henry departed in issue 230, 14th June 1969.

Hugh Morren had even less success with `Harry Presto`. This half-page strip about a conjurors son who could fetch out virtually any object from his dad’s hat with the cry of “Presto!” soon became boring. It only lasted to issue 224, 3rd May, sharing its final week with `Meddlesome Matty`.

`Cap N’ Hood and his Merry Men` occupied the back page from issue 212, 8th February. It was a frantic affair with some good action panels when the ship had its many accidents. Cap N’ Hood was a hyperactive fellow who lost his temper every five seconds or so.
His crew were a slovenly bunch who most likely thought manual labour was a Spaniard! The strip seemed to try too hard to be funny, often looking rather rushed in its approach. It didn’t last too long, ending on issue 231, 21st June.

`Klanky` made his third visit to the comic but was still only on his second visit to Earth, he had arrived back for his second visit in 1967. Readers now found out his real name, the rather mathematical (and bland) title of QZ-199. (Note! Klanky had never referred to himself by his real name from his inception in the comic back in 1966. Once the Huggin’s children had christened` him `Klanky` that is the name `he` called himself by throughout his adventures.) The rulers of his planet of origin; `planet `J``; wanted him back, but he wouldn’t answer their signals.

They then built a robot detective who was based on Earth’s fictional `Sherlock Holmes` and also built a robotic bloodhound, `Faithful Hound`. The ship in which the detective and his dog arrived on Earth was nothing like those `cigar` shaped 1950s looking rockets that Klanky had landed in seasons one and two. No! this ship was very similar to the real life US Apollo Luna Module. My guess is that artist; Terry Patrick worked from a publicity photo of said module to get the close likeness of the craft.

The detective and `Faithful Hound` were assigned to track down and arrest QZ-199, (Klanky’s real name as stated). This part of the strip had a running theme as for a few episodes Klanky was on the run from his metal pursuers.

The detective was no Sherlock Holmes though; in fact he was a clod-hopping incompetent who couldn’t even have found his feet if not for `Faithful Hound`. Klanky soon befriended `Faithful Hound` by tempting him with spanners which the robot dog loved.

The detective soon dropped out of the strip getting tricked into being shot back home (he is now probably blundering around planet `J`` looking for a clue somewhere) and Klanky and Faithful Hound teamed up with the Huggins family for more adventures. This version of Klanky was drawn by Terry Patrick. I’m afraid I could not warm to Patrick’s style of drawing on the strip. To my eyes he drew many characters heads a bit too large and endowed them with very wide mouths! Not for me at all.

Another new issue 211 story was a short lived adventure strip called `The Jungle Ark` drawn by Andy Tew. It told of a white girl Luana who was to be sacrificed to the rain gods by the Kobemba tribe because too much rain had caused flooding.

She was rescued by Rob Royde and his father who were attempting to save as many stranded animals to their floating ark. Luana was able to help them in their cause and most of the stories concerned the problems of rescuing particular creatures.

One day they heard from a native they rescued that a white man was being held by another tribe called the Loguba. The man, Professor Jordan was rescued by them and it turned out that he was Luana’s father. He had been separated from her when she was a baby, hence not instantly recognising her.

A strange tale as it is stretching things a bit to believe two people could be held for years-consecutively-by two separate tribes; but who expects logic in a `fun` comic!

And now! The final, and by far and away the best of the 1st February, issue 211 intake was a fun strip titled `I. Spy`

`I. Spy` was very loosely based on the Odhams / I.P.C press character `The Cloak`. However, the initial similarities were soon left behind once the `I. Spy` strip got into its stride.

The Cloak ran in `Pow` from about May 1967 to March 8th 1969, finishing in `Smash and Pow` No 162. Unlike the Cloak, I. Spy never revealed his face, and his assortment of devices within his suit became far more elaborate (and larger) than the Cloak’s ever were!

The stories soon surpassed those of `The Cloak` as did the villainous line up that produced two truly formidable super-villains in `Mr X` and `Mr Mastermind`. The first season ran from issue 211, 1st February 1969, to issue 279, 23rd May 1970.

It was drawn superbly by Les Barton who it is believed wrote the first eight episodes. It started out as a one page affair that featured a mysterious spy `I. Spy` who held numerous devices beneath his trench coat and trilby (that sounds a bit naughty doesn’t it?)

He worked for an unnamed organisation, probably a branch of the secret services. His boss was known as `Boss Spy` and issued orders from behind his desk. `Boss` soon became a fully fledged character whose name readers learned was Bert, via a long running joke about the radio sign of signature `Roger`.

`I. Spy` tackled very minor, but very humorous cases involving characters such as `Hoots McBagpipe`, `Slinky Snitchovitch` and `Karate Chip` in those first few one page offerings. It is believed that staff writer Peter Clark joined around the time of the eighth episode to write the two, three part stories known as “The Super –Irons Affair” and “The Sticky Toffee’s Affair”. Though early enemies as mentioned were hardly world threatening menaces, a far deadlier foe was soon to emerge to trouble I. Spy.

`Mr X` appeared in episode seven looking like the `atypical` villain from a Victorian melodrama. He would very quickly prove to be I. Spy’s most ubiquitous foe. The strip quickly became very popular with readers ( I soon rated it my top ever Sparky strip) and in issue 225, 10th May, it expanded to two pages with a great eight part story that pitted I. Spy against his deadly nemesis, `Mr X`.

Mr X, aided by his `super-strength-pills` has stolen plans to I. Spy’s `design` and constructed a robot `double` of the agent. The robot clobbers I. Spy and Mr X incarcerates him in his dungeon. The robot now frames I. Spy by robbing banks. I. Spy escapes X’s prison but is captured by his own side who believe that he has gone `bad`. Finally, I. Spy catches up with his `double` as it is about to kill Boss. Eating a supply of Mr X’s super strength pills which he `borrowed` he clobbers the robot for good!

Mr X isn’t finished though, he then constructs twelve of the `doubles` and even when I. Spy deals with those in an incredibly action packed episode, he still has to face Mr X’s trump card, the colossal `Super Spy`. Super Spy is finally defeated by a supply of hiccup and sneezing pills that I. Spy introduces into its fuel. It was a terrific tale to inaugurate the lengthier stories in the series.

`I. Spy` became accompanied in these longer stories by `Boss Spy` who was now no longer a remote desk-bound figure. Boss Spy provided much of the humour in the strip and was someone to whom I. Spy could relate plot details to, which helped readers. I sometimes wondered how `Boss` ever gained that title, being as he was almost as clueless as the robot detective in the current `Klanky` strip. No matter, I. Spy was most loyal to him.

As stated, writer Peter Clark had taken over writing duties for the last six weeks of the one-page outings. He would pen some truly great `I. Spy` scripts over the next couple of years. The two page outings now saw adventures across the globe when I. Spy tackled oriental spy, `Mahairee Yogi` in the hunt for the `Fantasmagor` diamond. (An eight part story) Mahairee, though not in the class of Mr X was still a very tenacious opponent. Sadly, the dialogue given to the villain “Quivering Curry Plants” etc would never be allowed in comics today.

The next six part was a wonderfully hilarious affair up in bonny Scotland where `Aye McSpy` had perfected paralyzing porridge which froze people, including villains `Mr X`, `Karate Chip`, `Slinky Snitchovitch` and `Mahairee Yogi`. Aye McSpy relented his naughty ways by stories end.

We then saw I. Spy’s granny in a five episode story that featured master of disguise, one `Cammy Flage` who stole plans for the deadly `Supertank`. This tale was rather the `weak-link` in the run. Not a `bad` story as such, but not as good as those preceding or following it.

This was followed by a really inventive story that saw our hero face `Mr Tempest` and his amazing weather device which unleashed Tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, blizzards and other meteorological phenomena against I. Spy. Tempest even managed to turn off the sun in the stories final episode which saw Les Barton’s use of shading put to perfect use. This five part offering moved the series (temporarily) to a rather more dramatic style with dead bodies seen in the second episode-surely a fun strip first!

Granny returned to plague I. Spy and Boss in another similar styled story to the `Cammy Flage/Supertank` effort in where `Mr X` forced a team of scientists to build the awesome `Fantasmagorian` war machine. This incredible device was seemingly indestructible but I. Spy finally thwarted it by creating an artificial volcano! This four part tale straddled 1969/70 and would be followed by another promotion for the strip; see the 1970 chapter for this event.

`Barney Bulldog` (nee John Bull Dogg) now occupied the front cover with many of the same plots that the `Sparky` character had used. For varieties sake – I presume - , he was soon joined by his nephew `Ben` and by the summer of 1969 Ben was a regular in the `Barney` strip.

In March 1969 the ever improving `Pansy Potter` strip saw the introduction of a semi-regular (who lasted to mid 1971) character, Pansy’s School Teacher. This tweedy, bird-like lady was drawn superbly by Bob Webster. The –unnamed- lady wore the harassed look of someone whose every nerve had been shredded by the one `dreaded` pupil of her class. She shouted in frustration quite a lot and was very capable of giving Pansy a good leathering when pushed! Her harassed demeanour added greatly to the fun of the strip.

Issue 227, 24th May 1969; saw the return of `Davey Spacer` for his third and final adventure. Now no longer following the Jonathan Swift books, this adventure, set in 2086 now, saw Davey’s craft, the `Discovery` become damaged by a space `storm` and crash land on the ocean covered world of `Mermia`.

Davey befriended the Mermian people (who resembled Mermaids). He helped them in their struggles against two enemies. The first were the `Eightlegs` who were identical to Earth Octopi save for one huge Eightleg fellow!

The second enemy were the `Barbaries`; great `Roc` like birds who lived on nests of floating seaweed. Both the Eightlegs and Barbaries had been giving the Mermians a hard time before Davey appeared. It ran to issue 240, 23rd August.

As stated this was the final Davey Spacer adventure in the comic. The nice thing about all three Davey Spacer adventures was the indigenous species of the planets he landed on turned out to be most friendly indeed! Only the other species of creatures that were troubling each race on these worlds were seen as `enemies`.

The `Peter Piper` strip changed artists again during 1969 with Vic Neil taking drawing duties on the strip to the comic’s final issue in 1977, and then beyond into `Topper and Sparky`.

The rather unfunny (to me) `Wyatt Twerp` strip finished in issue 229, 7th June. Wyatt Twerp did return for a short time in the `Wyatt Twerp and Bugsy` one page strip, with Bugsy Muldoon ( a very unsavoury fellow indeed!) his `nemesis`. It wasn’t much of an improvement.

It was replaced the following week, issue 230, in the centre pages by `Kings of the Castle` which was drawn by Ken Harrison. The Kings lived in a castle and the `Dirty Rascals` were forever trying to get in (never mentioned why). A fairly inventive strip, even though it became increasingly unbelievable.

On June 21st 1969 (issue 231) the `Helpful Henry` strip was replaced by `Puss and Boots`. They were `humanised` cat and dog who constantly feuded. The strip was nothing too special at first, occupying page 16 in black and white for a few weeks. By September they were on the back page in colour. The strip became ever zanier and wonderfully funny, until by 1971 it was clearly the most popular strip in the comic.

By late 1969 both characters evolved different persona. `Puss` on the whole was more forwardly aggressive and `Boots` seemed rather feckless. Quite often though, depending on the episode, both could either be unusually smart or more predictably gullible!

Other occasional characters would appear in the strip; Boots Scottish Uncle Hamish and Puss’ equally aggressive Scottish Uncle Duncan. Both looked and dressed like throwbacks to the battle of Culloden and were far more aggressive than their nephews.

Another semi-regular character was Puss’ young nephew `Titch`who first appeared in an early 1970 edition where he had a `run-in` with Boots’ nephew, `Shorty`. Boots nephew only appeared sparsely but `Titch` would join Puss a good few times, especially in a long running joke across several episodes where Puss vainly attempted to drop an anvil on Boots! `Titch` actually had proper dialogue in his debut, but thereafter only uttered the one word that all Puss and Boots` fans today recall, “Baggle”.

By October 1973, issue 456, Puss and Boots were given a two page spread, some on the middle pages (and in colour) others, when they were `bumped` from the middle, just black and white. They were one of only seven Sparky characters retained when the comic merged with Topper. Eventually, they were the only `Sparky` characters to last any real length of tenure! Puss and Boots eventually proved to be the comics `biggest hit`.

Here is the Sparky line up from issue 225.


SPARKY 225, 10th May 1969 5d

Page 1
`Barney Bulldog`

Page 2
`Peter Piper`

Page 3
`Esky Mo`

Pages 4 & 5
`Klanky`

Pages 6 & 7
`I. Spy` First of the two page longer serials. The second page replaced the `Harry Presto` and `Meddlesome Matty` strips. In this eight part story, I. Spy faced his most redoubtable enemy `Mr X` and his `super strength` pills.

Pages 8 & 9
`Invisible Dick`

Page 10
`Pansy Potter`
Page 11
`We Are the Sparky People`

Pages 12 & 13
`Wyatt Twerp`

Page 14
`Spoofer McGraw`

Page 15
`Hungry Horace`

Pages 16 & 17
`L. Cars`

Pages 18 & 19
`Funfare`

Pages 20 & 21
`The Jungle Ark`

Page 22
`Helpful Henry`

Page 23
`Keyhole Kate`

Page 24
`Cap ’N Hood and his Merry Men`


The `Cap ‘N Hood` strip ended in issue No 231, 21st June to be replaced in issue 232 by another `Big Billy Bigg` adventure.

This final (in Sparky comic) Billy story ran for 12 weeks to issue 243, 13th September on the colour back page. This tale led Billy and his friends to South America in the search for the legendary giant `Hugo`.

Hugo was no legend though, he was found covered in snow deeply asleep straddling two Andes range peaks. As luck would have it, he awoke, and though not openly hostile, was dangerous in his half asleep state. He was about sixty foot high and kept uttering the word `Geesachup`.

`Geesachup` it was learned meant `I’m hungry!”. Billy and friends set about feeding the giant with enough food to have pleased `Band-Aid`. Once sated, Hugo settled down for another two to three hundred years of sleep.

It was a very strange tale for Billy’s finale, but very enjoyable all the same. Seemingly, in Belgium the `Jerome / Billy` tales ran to the 1980s so why they finished in Sparky in mid 1969 is a mystery as I’m sure they were popular with the readers.

The third `Klanky` series finished in issue 239 to be replaced the next issue 240, 23rd August by one of the most inventive and enjoyable `adventure / fun` strips to appear in Sparky, titled `Mr Bubbles`.

Mr Bubbles was a `bottle imp` looking a bit like the `Mr Stay Puffed` character from `Ghostbusters` except that his humanoid shape was made of bubbles and unlike the colossal `Mr Stay Puffed` he was only about six inches in size! It is thought that the concept of the strip originated from artist Pam Chapeau.

Mr Bubbles lived in what was to all purposes an everyday plastic squeezy washing up bottle. Any time anyone squeezed his bottle, Mr Bubbles would pop out (no laughing please!) He would grant three wishes to whomever the lucky? Squeezer was.

You didn’t have to be human-no! Mr Bubbles would grant wishes to animals, birds, fish and on one occasion a scarecrow (who had been brought to life by the previous `wisher`). Some of the stories reached heights of surrealism that only the `Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora` fun strip had managed circa 1965-67. It was a bit of a mix of that strip and the 1965 `Will O’ the Well` story from 1965.

Many wishes were quite bizarre! One young fellow wished for shadows (not Hank Marvin & co) to come to life, and then to be solid!

Another little girl wished that all grass and plants disappear and thus a world barren of all flora and fauna came to be. Another recipient of wishes asked for the oceans to disappear and another for a trip in a fairground ride to take him into outer space.

One lovely episode showed the inside of Mr Bubbles bottle when a young girl wished that she and her dog could see how Mr Bubbles lived. Readers saw for the first and only time that the inside of the bottle had a living room, a bedroom and a kitchen. It seems that Mr Bubbles needed to drink, eat and sleep. Other bodily functions we will pass over.

Mr Bubble’s powers were limitless and no wish was too difficult to achieve.

The strip did have a moral of sorts to it in that the first two wishes nearly always led to trouble for the person –or creature- wishing and they used the third and final wish to return things to how they were, rather in the same way (but not as horrific) as the classic W.W Jacobs tale “The Monkeys Paw”. It was a sort of `Be careful for what you wish for` lesson each week.

Not every tale took this turn, sometimes those wishing unselfishly on behalf of others got all they wished to go well, especially in the Christmas issue stories.

The strip enjoyed the second longest continuous run in the comic (just behind `Invisible Dick’s` tenure) from issue 240, 23rd August 1969, all the way to issue 546, 5th July 1975, a total of 306 continuous episodes. There were a few artists employed on the `Mr Bubbles` strip over the years, two I know of were, of course, its originator Pamela Chapaeu the `Dave and Dora` specialist; and latter day `I. Spy` artist John Fox.

Issue 241, 30th August, introduced `The Jungle Walkers`. Set in Malaya during World War two it told of the harrowing trek across the jungle by children Mary, Tony and Ginger Walker to find which prison complex their parents had been incarcerated by the invading Japanese forces. It ran to issue 254, 29th November.

As September arrived the `1970 Sparky Book` was issued. The cover showed Keyhole Kate looking through a large keyhole where other Sparky characters could be seen. This cover picture was in red and blue. Here is the line up.



SPARKY BOOK 1970. Contents.

`Sparky`
`The Terrible Tasks of the Tambling Twins` #
`Kipper Feet`
`The Moonsters`
`Dreamy Dave and Dozy Dora`
`Klanky`
`Peter Piper`
`Pansy Potter`
`Smokey Joe` #
`Keyhole Kate`
`The Snooks`
`Hockey Hannah`
`My Grockle and Me`
`Nosey Parker`
`Snapshot Sid`
`Harry Carry`
`Joe Bann and his Big Banjo`
`Hungry Horace`
`Cuckoo in the Clock`
`Tom Tardy`
`Winnie the Witch`
`Meddlesome Matty`
`Hitch-hike Mike` #
`Charlie Chutney`
`Fireman Fred`
`Quick Dick` #
`Willie the Woeful Wizard`
`Do you want to be a Bobby? ` #
`Granny Cupp and her Flying Saucer`
`Prentice Pete`
`Invisible Dick`
`Davey Spacer and the Battle of Puff-ball`
Cheating Charlie
The # sign indicated a `non-comic` strip.

This book has to be the worst offender of all Sparky books for being utterly out-of-step with the current comic. Most of the featured strips had long departed the comic, some such as `Hockey Hannah` in 1966 and `Kipper Feet` as far back as 1965! The 1971 book (issued in 1970) would be far closer to Sparky comic 1970.

The `non-comic` strip `The Terrible Tasks of the Tambling Twins` was actually based on an old Russian folk tale and had been one of the `Tales from Europe` programmes screened by BBC1 in the children’s slot in the 1960s (the `Singing, Ringing Tree` is the best remembered transmitted story from that series).

The artwork was very unique with what looks like finely airbrushed strokes, giving the strip a strong `fantasy` look.

From issue 242, 6th September 1969, the day of publication changed from Friday to Saturday. It would only stay a few months at Saturday publication though.

Issue 244, 20th September 1969 saw the introduction of the half page `Sams Snake`. Young Sam and his pet snake Snodgrass often thwarted bullies and ne’er- do- wells receiving slap-up meals as reward. The strip was drawn by artist Phil Millar who was one of the fellows who drew the saucy sea-side cards in the 1950s and 60s.

`Puss N’ Boots` now replaced `Big Billy Bigg` on the back page from issue 244, where they would stay for over three years and would soon become the comic’s most popular strip.

The `Spoofer McGraw` strip in issue 251, 8th November, ran a story in which Spoofer was called into the `Sparky` offices and presented (by Throgmorton from “The Sparky People”) with a readers query. Seemingly, a girl reader had a question! Spoofer, as usual, came up with a convoluted solution that only his dim –witted friend `Bo` would have swallowed, though the Sparky staff were very credulous and suitably impressed!

Anyhow, because no readers name was actually mentioned, or a payment for the `question` mentioned, I believe it was a plot device for the strip. However, real or not, it did spark the comic in early 1970 to then ask readers to send in for Spoofer to answer, with a payment for published questions. See 1970 for details.

Though the comic had supposedly moved away from its fantasy roots of 1965-67 it did still produce the occasional strip that would look well in place in that era. One such offering was `The Misery King` which commenced in issue 255, 6th December 1969.

It was the story of the boy king (he was never named) of Pomenia (I wonder if that’s next door to `Woeful Wizard Willy’s residence of `Pom`?) This fellow was always miserable and so offered half his kingdom (as you do) to anyone who could show him true happiness.

Thus, came forward young urchin Timothy, who after many bizarre adventures, did teach the young king the meaning of true joy! Rather twee fare, which ran to issue 260, 10th January 1970.

1969 had seen great changes to the comic which would lead to its greatest period both artistically and sales wise The extensive overhaul in February set the comic on a course away from `adventure` strips and towards a more `wacky` `bizarre` type of humour in many of it’s fun strips. For the first time since it began, it seemed orientated towards older readers than sister papers the Dandy and Beano.

What most fans acknowledge as the two finest strips in its history began in 1969. `I. Spy` as one of the 1st February intake, and `Puss N’ Boots` who debuted in June that year. 1969 was a seminal year for the comic, 1970 looked like it would be a good year too.


* *


EVENTS OF 1969.


Politically, Richard Millhouse Nixon was sworn in during January 1969 as US President; his would be a notorious tenure. Event of the year, if not the century occurred on 20th July 1969 when Apollo 11 touched down in the Moon’s `Sea of Tranquillity` zone and Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on another world. This success was followed, equally successful by Apollo twelve in November. April 1970 would see Apollo 13 set off for a Moon landing.

Northern Ireland blazed into open civil warfare in January as events escalated beyond the control of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. By August, events were so out of control the UK Government was forced to send in troops to keep the warring factions apart. Though this seemed a good move at the time, it would actually ignite far greater problems in the long run.

On 31 December, Capital punishment was `abolished` altogether in the UK; a year ahead of the five year trial suspension begun in 1965.

In Africa, the Biafran war in Nigeria produced suffering on a large scale. Meanwhile over in Vietnam, US forces covertly invaded Cambodia.

Sport, and in football, Leeds United won the league only losing two games out of the 42 played over the season. Cup winners were Manchester City, beating Leicester City 1-0 in a rather dull final. In Golf Tony Jacklin won the British open, the first home winner in years. In Formula one, Jackie Stewart won the championship. Graham Hill only just survived a bad crash at the US grand prix at Watkins Glen that September.

Music: The trend was towards `heavy` and `progressive` sounds in the LP market and live events. Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, King Crimson and Jethro Tull came very much to the fore during 1969. Even the single charts saw an influx of this form of music in 1969. Fleetwood Mac, surprisingly were the years most successful singles act which puzzled many of their album based fans. Teenybop pop shrank considerably during 1969 as tastes `matured`.

Outdoor festivals became the great attraction of 1969 with the “Woodstock” (USA) then, both `Blind Faith` (June) and the `Rolling Stones` (July) holding vast concerts in London’s Hyde Park. The second “Isle of Wight” (UK) festival headlined by Bob Dylan was a colossal success making huge profits and setting off a swathe of similar-if smaller events. The one blot on the festival scene was December’s “Altamont” (Just outside San-Francisco) where a man was stabbed to death in front of headline act the “Rolling Stones”

The Beatles scored their final UK No 1 in 1969 with “The Ballad of John and Yoko” in June and the Rolling Stones, their final UK No 1 (so far) in July with “Honky Tonk Women”. Not known at the time, but in a meeting at the `Apple` building on 20th September, John Lennon announced his “Divorce” from the Beatles. Manager, Allan Klein persuaded Lennon to keep it from general knowledge until he could renegotiate deals for the group with EMI (UK) and Capitol (US) their record labels.

Tragedy struck that July when ex `Rolling Stone` Brian Jones was found dead in his swimming pool. The group dedicated their concert at Hyde Park later that month to Jones memory.

Top selling UK single of 1969 was “Sugar Sugar” by `non-existent` session group `The Archies` The record was actually awarded a gold disc for a million UK sales; but these were later found to be production figures from RCA, actual sales were 981.031, so in strict terms `not` a UK million seller, though biggest seller of the year.
Top UK selling LP was the Beatles final recorded work, “Abbey Road”.

Best selling US single was “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.

Top selling US LP was “Abbey Road” (Beatles)

Films: and big success of the year was “Airport” which triggered a series of `Disaster` themed films over the next few years. Like 1939, it was (1969) a momentous year for great westerns. Sam Peckinpah’s “The Wild Bunch” becomes most influential with “Once Upon a Time in the West” most iconic of the `Spaghetti` westerns. John Wayne won an Oscar for “True Grit”, but biggest success was “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

It was also the year when groundbreaking films such as “Easy Rider” and “Midnight Cowboy” changed the face of Hollywood output thereafter.

On Television, colour came to ITV and BBC1 on 15th November that year. It was the year for very groundbreaking comedy with “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” debuting in October, but they were actually beaten to the punch (as the `Python’s freely admitted) by Spike Milligan’s `Q.5` that March/April, the first of Milligan’s `Q` series where punch lines were discarded with and free flowing surrealism was let loose.

Violence came with ITV’s “Big Breadwinner Hogg” starring a young Peter Egan. The facial acid throwing scene in episode three caused bans of the rest of the ITV regions outside the midlands. Hit comedy of the year was (It topped the `T.A.M` system of ratings with every one of its six episodes). “The Dustbinmen” starring Bryan Pringle.

In the world of fashion, as men’s hair got longer women’s skirts got shorter. There was another attempt to bring in Maxi skirts (late 1967 and 1968 had also seen attempts at promoting the `Maxi skirt`) but the Mini held firm.




* *