...And lastly (for now) here are no less than five of the veteran funny artists who'd managed to survive into the 1970s (including an impressive centrespread by Walter Bell in which the kids of Casey Court finally make it into the space age).
In retrospect 1976 was an amazing period in which legendary artists associated with all but the very earliest British comics (even including some of today's stars like a very young Kev O'Neil) were able to gather together... probably for the first and last time.
Great stuff - and interesting to see the writers' names.
The Trevor Metcalfe illustration is gorgeous.
I like Basil Reyolds's style, but I think the name's new to me and I've already started looking him up! One of the Mickey Mouse Weekly artists from way back, apparently he'd started illustrating for Disneyland magazine from 1971. I'd wanted an excuse to get some of those ...
So much extraordinary talent on display in this single programme.
philcom55 wrote:Does anyone know any more about 'Hitch' or 'G. Volke' I wonder?
Gordon Volke was a prolific writer for both Fleetway (IPC) and D C Thomson. Sometime in the 1990s he started his own company and I can't for the life of me remember what he does. I'll find out. In the 1980s he wrote a lot of The Beano and Dandy Comic Libraries including Bully Beef and Chips, Jocks and Geordies, Colonel Blink and Cororpal Clott.
I THINK this 1976 con was attended by The Beano's Hunt Emerson. let's ask.
A quick search reveals that Gordon Volke has been responsible for editing/writing younger children's books in more recent times, and has been a writer for the Tweenies TV show.
Spot on Nigel! (and thanks for all the background information btw). Seems like a good excuse to highlight three of Comics 101's 'Young Turks' who've since gone on to be numbered amongst today's most respected 'elder statesmen' -
...Strange to think that Moonbird was still a 'brand new' creation when the programme was produced; to my mind it's a great shame that the excellent Mike Higgs hasn't produced more mainstream comics work in the intervening years, but we can at least look forward to the promised return of The Cloak (in colour! ) in an upcoming edition of Crikey!
Raven wrote:Is there an entry from Sid Burgon perchance?
Sorry Raven, it seems that Sid was turned back at the door!
(Ken Reid and Reg Parlett are probably the most famous artists who weren't represented in the booklet. Leo Baxendale on the other hand did contribute a preview page from his upcoming Willie the Kid Book, but I haven't posted that because most people here are likely to be familiar with it anyway)
Raven wrote:Is there an entry from Sid Burgon perchance?
Sorry Raven, it seems that Sid was turned back at the door!
Oh, that's great! Thanks for that. Look at them all: The Little Monsters, Lolly Pop, Biddy and her Beastly Bloomers, and even a tree of doom from the haunted wood and the kid who practically lives there.
Now ... I don't suppose John Geering drew an exclusive Puss 'n' Boots bashathon?
I think we need a facsimilie copy of this programme as a free gift in the next Crikey!
Three more pages from the Comics 101 convention programme. Some schoolgirl sleuths wearing rather more clothes than are normally required, Jane wearing rather fewer, Blondie providing Madonna with the inspiration for her cones, and some brazen hussy who has clearly taken her inspiration from Jane.
Brendan McGuire wrote:Phoenix, you are a blackguard, a cad and a bad egg, sir! That fragrant rose you term as a "hussy" is the fair Varoomshka!
Well, you live and learn, Brendan, but I must admit I've never seen her in Bunty or Mandy. I have heard the name, but I was under the impression it was a Russian Formula 1 racing car. On reflection, though, her name is perhaps quite appropriate. She looks as if she could be a bit of a goer as well. Bring on the grand prix.
