If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls comics

[Tammyfan]

And here is the list of possibilities minus fast-trackers. Is there anything here that you think should be fast-tracked before we move on to debating what will advance to the next level and what will be dropped? Or do you have any other suggestions?

1. A Leap in Time (Misty)
2. A Song for Andrella (Mirabelle)
3. Alice in Spaceland (Princess Tina)
4. Alona the Wild One (Princess Tina)
5. Anna, Junior Miss (Judy)
6. Babs & the Family (School Friend)
7. Be Nice to Nancy (Judy)
8. Belle and Mamie (Girl – first series)
9. Belle of the Ballet (Girl – first series)
10. Black Velvet (Poppet)
11. Calling Nurse Abbott! (Girl – first series)
12. Captain Kate (June)
13. Chairman Cherry (Princess Tina)
14. Cherry & The Children (Girls Crystal/Schoolfriend/June)
15. Climbing Rose (Judy)
16. Cloris and Claire (June)
17. Come Home Kathleen (Bunty)
18. Combing Her Golden Hair (Jinty)
19. Cuckoo in the Nest (Tammy)
20. Daughter of Lorna Doone (Princess Tina)
21. Diana's Diary (June)
22. Dilly Dream (School Friend)
23. Dracula's Daughter (Jinty)
24. ET Estate (Tammy)
25. Force of Evil (Suzy)
26. Fran of the Floods (Jinty)
27. Girl with the Golden Smile (Judy)
28. Glenda Good & Bad (June)
29. Glenda’s Glossy Pages (Tammy)
30. Hannah in the House of Dolls (Bunty)
31. Hetty in the House of Secrets (Spellbound)
32. I Hate Janey! (Judy)
33. I'll Never Leave You (June)
34. Jane Bond (Princess Tina)
35. Jane, Model Miss (Diana)
36. Jeanie & Her Uncle Meanie (Sandie/Tammy)
37. Jill Crusoe (School Friend)
38. Justine For Justice (Sally)
39. Kathy Of Marvin Grange (June)
40. Kitty Hawke (Girl – first series)
41. Lettice Leefe: The Greenest Girl in School (Girl – first series/Princess Tina)
42. Life's a Ball for Nadine (Jinty)
43. Lorna Drake (Bunty)
44. Maisie's Magic Eye (Sally)
45. Mary Jo (Princess)
46. Mini Mum (Bunty)
47. Moira, Slave Girl of Rome (Princess Tina)
48. Moonchild (Misty)
49. My Schoolfriend Sara/My Friend Sara (School Friend/June)
50. Nobody Knows My Name (June)
51. No Haven for Hayley (Tammy)
52. Nothing ever Goes Right! (Judy)
53. Patsy on the Warpath (June)
54. School's Out! (Bunty)
55. Secret of the Skulls (Tammy)
56. Skinflint School (Judy)
57. Slave to the Dolls (Tracy)
58. Starr of Wonderland (Diana)
59. Sue Spiker (Emma)
60. Sugar Jones (Pink)
61. Surprise Corner (Poppet/June)
62. Susan of St Bride's (Girl)
63. Tansy of Jubilee Street (Penny/Jinty)
64. The Bennets of Ballet (Bunty)
65. The Button Box (Tammy)
66. The Cat Girl (Sally)
67. The Chair that Rocked St. Claire's (Judy)
68. The Change in Claire (Bunty)
69. The Double Life of Sad Sarah (Mandy)
70. The Face of Romany Fortune (Spellbound)
71. The Flights of Flopear (Bunty)
72. The Four Faces of Eve (Misty)
73. The Frightening Fours (Judy)
74. The Girl Who Couldn't Cry (Mandy)
75. The Guardian Tree (Mandy)
76. The Jealousy of Jemma (Mandy/M&J)
77. The Land of Nowhere (Bunty)
78. The Pink Peril (Diana)
79. The Quest Of Katie Courage (Suzy)
80. The Sad Spells Of Fay Martin (Mandy)
81. The Secrets of Charlie Chatterbox (Bunty)
82. The Seeker (Bunty)
83. The Slave of Form 3B (Jinty)
84. Thursday’s Child (Tammy)
85. Time after Time [1999] (Bunty)
86. Tilly Tuffin (Princess Tina)
87. Uncle Lionel (Princess)
88. Wendy and Jinx (Girl – first series)
89. Westward the Wagons (Princess Tina)

[Tammyfan]

That 'fast-track' list looks pretty solid to me. One of the nice things about this project is that it has already flagged up a number of series I'm not familiar with as being worth seeking out.

- Phil Rushton

Yep, I've really gone and done it with this one, haven't I? This thread has opened two new ones already.

[Tammyfan]

Oh yes, Cult of the Cat from Misty is possible. It was one of the most prominent Misty serials.

[peace355]

I suggested Anna Junior Miss/Girl With the Golden Smile mostly for its longevity but I did enjoy reading it too. Not suggesting it for fast tracking, but I notice you've split it into two suggestions when they are really the same story following the same character (like the Fabulous Four and Supercats being the same).

Anna, Junior Miss started as a text story in Judy #1, it was then adapted into a picture story of the same name. Then it was updated, redrawn and renamed as Girl with the Golden Smile - there are stories that have the same plot/dialogue as Anna Junior Miss just drawn by a different artist, which I found interesting.

Also just to add the fast track list is looking good and I agree it has encouraged me to track down some of these stories.

[Tammyfan]

I suggested Anna Junior Miss/Girl With the Golden Smile mostly for its longevity but I did enjoy reading it too. Not suggesting it for fast tracking, but I notice you've split it into two suggestions when they are really the same story following the same character (like the Fabulous Four and Supercats being the same).

Anna, Junior Miss started as a text story in Judy #1, it was then adapted into a picture story of the same name. Then it was updated, redrawn and renamed as Girl with the Golden Smile - there are stories that have the same plot/dialogue as Anna Junior Miss just drawn by a different artist, which I found interesting.

Also just to add the fast track list is looking good and I agree it has encouraged me to track down some of these stories.

Acknowledged. Do you think this serial should be fast-tracked or stay on the list of possibilities? I'm beginning to think it is strong enough for fast tracking, but I'd like further opinions.

Another one I have decided for fast-tracking is A Horse Called September. Not many serials are turned into novels, but this is one of them.

[Tammyfan]

Well, I haven't heard anything more, so the list of fast-trackers is now:

The 100 best girls’ strips of all time

1. A Horse Called September (June/Tammy)
2. Angel (Mandy)
3. Balloon of Doom (Bunty)
4. Bella (Tammy)
5. Belle and Marie (Girl – first series)
6. Belle of the Ballet (Girl – first series)
7. Bessie Bunter (School Friend/June/Tammy)
8. Bobby Dazzler (Judy)
9. Catch the Cat (Bunty)
10. Cinderella Jones (Judy)
11. Down with St Desmonds! (Bunty)
12. Fran’ll Fix It! (Jinty)
13. Junior Nanny (Judy)
14. Lady Penelope (Lady Penelope)
15. Land of No Tears (Jinty)
16. Lorna Drake (Bunty)
17. Lucky’s Living Doll (June)
18. Luv Lisa (Bunty)
19. Molly Mills (Tammy)
20. Olympia Jones (Tammy)
21. Pam of Pond Hill (Jinty/Tammy)
22. Patty’s World (Princess Tina/Pink/Mates/Girl – second series)
23. Penny’s Place (M&J/Bunty)
24. Sandra of the Secret Ballet (Judy)
25. Slaves of War Orphan Farm (Tammy)
26. The Comp (Nikki/Bunty)
27. The Four Marys (Bunty)
28. The Girls from NOODLES (Diana)
29. The Happy Days (Princess Tina)
30. The Honourable S. J. (Judy)
31. The Human Zoo (Jinty)
32. The Silent Three (School Friend)
33. The Sentinels (Misty)
34. The Strangest Stories Ever Told (School Friend/June/Tammy)
35. The Supercats (Spellbound/Debbie)
36. Toots (Bunty)
37. Trixie’s Treasure Chest (Debbie)
38. Valda (Mandy)
39. Vanessa from Venus (June)
40. Wee Slavey (Judy)
41. Wee Sue (Sandie/Tammy)
42. Wendy at War (Debbie)
43. Winner Loses All! (Misty)
44. Worlds Apart (Jinty)

[Tammyfan]

And the list of possibles. Now, what do you think could be removed and what should be given further consideration to advance?

List of possible for 100 best serials ever in girls’ comics
1. A Leap in Time (Misty)
2. A Song for Andrella (Mirabelle)
3. Alice in Spaceland (Princess Tina)
4. Alona the Wild One (Princess Tina)
5. Anna, Junior Miss/Girl with the Golden Smile (Judy)
6. Babs & the Family (School Friend)
7. Be Nice to Nancy (Judy)
8. Black Velvet (Poppet)
9. Calling Nurse Abbott! (Girl – first series)
10. Captain Kate (June)
11. Chairman Cherry (Princess Tina)
12. Cherry & The Children (Girls Crystal/Schoolfriend/June)
13. Climbing Rose (Judy)
14. Cloris and Claire (June)
15. Come Home Kathleen (Bunty)
16. Combing Her Golden Hair (Jinty)
17. Cuckoo in the Nest (Tammy)
18. Cult of the Cat (Misty)
19. Daughter of Lorna Doone (Princess Tina)
20. Diana's Diary (June)
21. Dilly Dream (School Friend)
22. Dracula's Daughter (Jinty)
23. ET Estate (Tammy)
24. Force of Evil (Suzy)
25. Fran of the Floods (Jinty)
26. Glenda Good & Bad (June)
27. Glenda’s Glossy Pages (Tammy)
28. Hannah in the House of Dolls (Bunty)
29. Hetty in the House of Secrets (Spellbound)
30. I Hate Janey! (Judy)
31. I'll Never Leave You (June)
32. Jane Bond (Princess Tina)
33. Jane, Model Miss (Diana)
34. Jeanie & Her Uncle Meanie (Sandie/Tammy)
35. Jill Crusoe (School Friend)
36. Justine For Justice (Sally)
37. Kathy Of Marvin Grange (June)
38. Kitty Hawke (Girl – first series)
39. Lettice Leefe: The Greenest Girl in School (Girl – first series/Princess Tina)
40. Life's a Ball for Nadine (Jinty)
41. Lorna Drake (Bunty)
42. Maisie's Magic Eye (Sally)
43. Mary Jo (Princess)
44. Mini Mum (Bunty)
45. Moira, Slave Girl of Rome (Princess Tina)
46. Moonchild (Misty)
47. My Schoolfriend Sara/My Friend Sara (School Friend/June)
48. Nobody Knows My Name (June)
49. No Haven for Hayley (Tammy)
50. Nothing ever Goes Right! (Judy)
51. Patsy on the Warpath (June)
52. School's Out! (Bunty)
53. Secret of the Skulls (Tammy)
54. Skinflint School (Judy)
55. Slave to the Dolls (Tracy)
56. Starr of Wonderland (Diana)
57. Sue Spiker (Emma)
58. Sugar Jones (Pink)
59. Surprise Corner (Poppet/June)
60. Susan of St Bride's (Girl)
61. Tansy of Jubilee Street (Penny/Jinty)
62. The Bennets of Ballet (Bunty)
63. The Button Box (Tammy)
64. The Cat Girl (Sally)
65. The Chair that Rocked St. Claire's (Judy)
66. The Change in Claire (Bunty)
67. The Double Life of Sad Sarah (Mandy)
68. The Face of Romany Fortune (Spellbound)
69. The Flights of Flopear (Bunty)
70. The Four Faces of Eve (Misty)
71. The Frightening Fours (Judy)
72. The Girl Who Couldn't Cry (Mandy)
73. The Guardian Tree (Mandy)
74. The Jealousy of Jemma (Mandy/M&J)
75. The Land of Nowhere (Bunty)
76. The Pink Peril (Diana)
77. The Quest Of Katie Courage (Suzy)
78. The Sad Spells Of Fay Martin (Mandy)
79. The Secrets of Charlie Chatterbox (Bunty)
80. The Seeker (Bunty)
81. The Slave of Form 3B (Jinty)
82. Thursday’s Child (Tammy)
83. Time after Time [1999] (Bunty)
84. Tilly Tuffin (Princess Tina)
85. Uncle Lionel (Princess)
86. Wendy and Jinx (Girl – first series)
87. Westward the Wagons (Princess Tina)

[Tammyfan]

I definitely want Cuckoo in the Nest to advance because it is arguably the only serial in girls' comics to make a female impersonator the star of the show. Plus, it gives the boy insight into how the other sex lives, which is something you can't see very much in girls' comics.

One of mine I am not sure about is Tansy of Jubilee Street. I nominated Tansy because I wanted some representation from Penny, and Tansy was the one who lasted the longest from that comic. But I am not sure that makes Tansy strong enough to advance. Does anyone have any thoughts on Tansy?

Someone had questioned Life's a Ball for Nadine. I nominated that because it is the only serial I have ever seen to star a coloured girl, and have her in the title as well. Anyone else got thoughts on Nadine?

[matrix]

Tammyfan, just for the record no5 on your 100 best list is 'Belle and Mamie'

I also think that 'Susan of St Brides' and' Wendy and Jinx' should be on the 100 best list, lots of good stories and adventure! I am not an expert but just an advocate for these strips as I'm sure they were very popular in their day, Nursing, and school stories?

[Tammyfan]

Tammyfan, just for the record no5 on your 100 best list is 'Belle and Mamie'

I also think that 'Susan of St Brides' and' Wendy and Jinx' should be on the 100 best list, lots of good stories and adventure! I am not an expert but just an advocate for these strips as I'm sure they were very popular in their day, Nursing, and school stories?

Yes, but it's alphabetical order. From the beginning I decided against ranking.

I've never seen the two you mentioned, so I can't pass judgement myself. But if you think they're good enough, and nobody else objects, they advance. I think Sugar Jones should advance too. Judging by the comments I have seen around here, Jill Crusoe looks strong enough to advance.

Out of the remaining Misty stories on the list of possibles, I think Cult of the Cat is the strongest for advancing. Anyone got other opinions?

[Phoenix]

Tammyfan, just for the record no5 on your 100 best list is 'Belle and Mamie

Yes, but it's alphabetical order. From the beginning I decided against ranking.

Matrix is pointing out that the spelling is incorrect, Tammyfan, rather than failing to spot that the list is in alphabetical order.

[matrix]

Thankyou Phoenix!

[peace355]

I think most Misty stories deserve a place in the list of best girls stories. But if I had to choose personally I'd pick Moonchild first over Cult of the Cat, it was a good story, a nice homage to Carrie and I think quite well remembered.

Other stories deserving of a spot I think, are The Secrets of Charlie Chatterbox, a very creepy and strong story and The Double Life of Sad Sarah for being so meta and poking fun at the genre.

One I'm unsure of is Sue Spiker, I did enjoy the story and it did have a long enough run, but I mostly nominated it so Emma comic would have a representation.

[Tammyfan]

Yes, I thought Sad Sarah and Charlie Chatterbox should advance. Moonchild and Cult of the Cat will both advance. The Four Faces of Eve is possible for advancing, but I'm not sure about A Leap in Time. It's not as well remembered as Moonchild or The Sentinels. Anyone got any thoughts?

The number on the 'best' list is now 54.

[Tammyfan]

One I'm unsure of is Sue Spiker, I did enjoy the story and it did have a long enough run, but I mostly nominated it so Emma comic would have a representation.

Well, I want some of the short lived titles to get some representation too. I wasn't sure that Tansy of Jubilee Street was strong enough to be among the greatest, but I nominated her to give Penny some representation.

Advance Tansy and Sue Spiker for now?