Comics UK

Not sure if this topic is already on the forum if it is I will scrap this one.

I do not have many annuals, in the ones I do have there are a couple with stand out strips "eg Hot Shot Hamish" in Tiger 78, and "Petra the Party Maker" in Judy 65, although in that annual a lot of the strips come close.

In my two Topper annuals 75, and 77, the artwork is very consistant throughout, nice, but no standout.

I know there are a lot of annual scans on here already and blogs with scans and write ups of annuals, but would any members like to add any annual art that they feel stands out for others to see, with any links?

Any comments good idea, bad idea?

Could somebody give me the artists for these scans thanks.

Hamish was usually drawn by Julio Schiaffino.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Shot_H ... ghty_Mouse

The trouble with Fleetway/IPC Annuals - especially during the 1970s - is that they used an awful lot of reprints. Also, many of the strips weren't drawn by their usual illustrators but by young, inexperienced artists who were being given a tryout.

By contrast, the annual art I really looked forward to were the fantastic double-page splashes that DC Thompson specialized in during the 1960s. Normally printed in black & white and one colour these were invariably drawn by top artists such as Dudley Watkins and Paddy Brennan, who appeared to treat them as showcases for their very best work - almost as though they were constantly trying to outdo themselves and eachother.

Here's an example from the 1958 Dandy Annual by Paddy Brennan, who seemed to have a 'thing' for giant crabs!



- Phil Rushton

Thanks Digi, I was not sure being as different artists work on annuals.

Just to elaborate on the Judy annual and Petra strip. I had not seen any Judy before, I actually picked this annual up for the fair ground strip, and I must say I am very impressed with all the artwork, it has a very clean fresh feel to it if that makes sense. The Petra strip actually looks like a piece of original artwork.

I said "usually". I've never heard of him, so I don't know if that example is his or not.

DC Thomson remind me of Disney top quality...

though of course there is nothing wrong with IPC and Fleetway annuals But DC Thomson were in another class..

Great those big crabs!!!

Didnt see your post Phil before I posted mine. That is an impessive piece I dont have any that far back. As i am discovering more I am gradually appreciating earlier artwork its growing on me! Thanks for that.

The Dandy annuals especially of the 60s/very early 70s luxuriated inn elaborate 2-page 'splashes' of which Charlie Grigg evidently went to town on---as Peter says, an almost Disney-like quality, just a shame it wasn't all full-colour artwork in the Dandy annuals of the time.

spy I was quoting you from the past...the way you describe Biffo and Korky having a Disney feel..I love the quote and used it for myself..But this time in the quality side...which Disney really did and going the extra mile...the same with DC Thomson

ISPYSHHHGUY wrote:The Dandy annuals especially of the 60s/very early 70s luxuriated inn elaborate 2-page 'splashes' of which Charlie Grigg evidently went to town on---as Peter says, an almost Disney-like quality

I recently picked up a 1940 book of Walt Disney's Pinocchio which features some beautifully printed colour illustrations - including a double-page spread of Monstro the whale that was specially inserted to show off his size. Amazing quality considering it was published during the War!

In many ways I think that DC Thomson in their pomp ran a kind of 'Fun Factory' that was rather like the Disney Organization. Thanks to their own presses and superb in-house production department an artist could always be confident that his work would be shown off to it's best possible effect.

I agree that Charlie Grigg's more realistic work rarely gets the attention it deserves. Here's a nice example from the 1950s featuring 'Charlie the Chimp'.



- Phil Rushton

Yes, this is precisely the sort of thing I meant, Phil-----many thanks!

I remember being impressed by the artwork of a particular annual story as a kid in the 60s. I can't remember which annual it was in (think it was a Thomson title), and I remember the strip being in colour. As I recall it, the story concerned a group of kids who foiled a mass prison break by wearing grotesque masks. The night-time scenes on the moors with the kids cavorting in their masks made a big impression on me. Can anyone identify the annual, or better still post some images? Cheers.

philcom55 wrote:In many ways I think that DC Thomson in their pomp ran a kind of 'Fun Factory' that was rather like the Disney Organization. Thanks to their own presses and superb in-house production department an artist could always be confident that his work would be shown off to it's best possible effect.

Yeah, that name has actually been used to describe them. Wasn't it once said that if anything was ever to happen to Allan Morley, it could end up shutting down the comics, because he was so prolific? The same can be said for Dudley Watkins, which is why both were kept out of military service during World War II.

I have always thought the title page from the dandy monster comic 1941 to be a bit odd..

Those examples from Phil, and the Monster comic one are very impressive, which I admit I was not expecting. That I would say is when annuals were annuals!

It seems to me, (although some may disagree), that after a while annuals were selling so well that complacency set in, and artwork like those examples ceased to exist in them, as Phil mentioned a lot of reprints.

Myself, and my brother for example in the sixties recieved the Beano, Dandy, Topper, Beezer, and many others every xmas without fail, no list needed, I think we had one sack full of annuals! I remember getting up early before everyone else, we were allowed to open one present which was always an annual to read waiting for my grandparents to get up.

Does anyone have any sixties examples from Beano etc as mine are long gone?

What was the story behind Desperate Dan pulling the cart?

Any chance of seeing the Pinocchio example Phil?