Sparky Annual 1970s Sci-Fi strip?

[Shaqui]

Are there any Sparky fans out there with the 70s annuals that know of a sci-fi strip where in the last frames, the aliens are revealed to be bird-like when they remove their space helmets (or similar)?

I'm told it was a Sparky annual but it could be another DCT title.

Any help (and pictures, as we want to identify the artist) appreciated!

[Kashgar]

Hi Shaqui,

The strip you are looking for is 'The Birdman of Alsace' a 6 page strip, printed in full colour, in the 1979 Sparky Book. An old hermit, living in a wood in France and who seems to be able to converse with birds turns out to be an alien, avian life form sent to Earth to gather information.
Sorry I haven't any scans but the artwork is very classy. I just can't bring the name of the artist to mind. One thing I can say though is that this was the only work he ever did for the Sparky.

[Shaqui]

Hi Kashgar,

It has been suggested the artist is Brian Lewis, a well-known and admired illustrator, who sadly died shortly after this. It may be among the few strips he did for DCT, and we are looking for a scan to confirm it is indeed his work.

Many thanks,

Shaqui

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

Here yas goes, Shaqui--- this is as big as I can get this.

The 1979 annual is probably the one I am least familiar with---the I SPY story, about an overgrown baby, is pretty dire I reckon but there is lots of other good stuff in there.


Here is the final page of this very un-Sparky-like tale---it looks more like early 80s 2OOO AD!

[Shaqui]

Yes, definitely looks like Brian Lewis art to me. Thanks for that!

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

happy to help a fellow comics fan, Shaqui.

[Kashgar]

Brian Lewis of course. Thanks Shaqui. My train of thought would have never gone in that direction.

[alanultron5]

Some of those latter year Sparky Book `adventure` strips were pretty Bizarre!

[Raven]

Here is the final page of this very un-Sparky-like tale---it looks more like early 80s 2OOO AD!

More like mid-70s Look-In, I thought!

An interesting way to end that annual - which also contained The Great Atomic Camera of Pluvius 3: "How can the Sphinx, the leaning tower of Pisa and the Golden Gate Bridge disappear into thin air?"