Younger reader comics (the best of the rest)

Raven · Post by **Raven** » 18 Oct 2013, 11:36

philcom55 wrote:Matrix's latest post in the Jack & Jill thread has reminded me of one of the more unusual nursery comics to appear during the 1960s. This was Candy which began its run in January 1967 as a companion title to TV21 and Lady Penelope under the 'Century 21' umbrella. As can be seen in the issue shown below, early numbers were printed in a curious lengthways format, and featured a full colour photo-strip of 'Candy & Andy' on the first three pages. Apparently these life-size puppets were originally created for a proposed Gerry Anderson TV series aimed at younger viewers that never got taken up - which, given their distinctly creepy appearance, was probably just as well. Even the giant teddy bear, Mr. Bearanda, manages to look like a sinister axe murderer!

I'd love to see more of the freaky world of photo strip-era Candy. It really does look quite unsettling from the covers I've seen, and I've often wondered what nightmarish derangements lurk within.

matrix · Post by **matrix** » 18 Oct 2013, 12:09

That is the first 'Jack and Jill and Candy' Phil. Also the one I posted is the last appearance of 'Candy and Andy' like you said a mysterious disappearance!

These scans are from 'Candy' no2 Raven. I thought she looks a bit like that girl in the 'Exorcist' in the photo standing on the chair!

Raven · Post by **Raven** » 18 Oct 2013, 13:14

Oh, the gloomy, depressing, hopelessness of that bear taking those dead-faced children to the bleak woods to finish them off for real.

We must have more of this horror.

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 19 Oct 2013, 00:57

Raven wrote:Oh, the gloomy, depressing, hopelessness of that bear taking those dead-faced children to the bleak woods to finish them off for real.

We must have more of this horror.

Agreed. I remember now I actually had the first few issues because of its Gerry Anderson connection but the experience must have been so disturbing I'd locked away the memories of it in a dark corner on my mind like Doctor Who did with his John Hurt incarnation.

The biggest question is: why did they bother making life size puppets for this proposed TV series? Why not use child actors? The whole concept is barking mad!

philcom55 · Post by **philcom55** » 19 Oct 2013, 08:45

The funny thing is that at nine old pence Candy must have been one of the most expensive comics around in 1967!

- Phil R.

philcom55 · Post by **philcom55** » 21 Oct 2013, 02:58

Here are issues 1,2 and 3 of DC Thomson's Bimbo - one of the first major titles to challenge Fleetway's supremacy in the field of nursery comics during the 1960s:

- Phil Rushton

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 21 Oct 2013, 12:02

Bimbo was an excellent nursery comic, with great art by Dudley Watkins, Bill Richie, and more. But what it really lacked was a photo strip about grubby looking life-size creepy puppets.

ISPYSHHHGUY · Post by **ISPYSHHHGUY** » 21 Oct 2013, 22:10

BIMBO was 'where it was at', for 'happening' tiny-tot readers----great scans, Phil, from about the time I was concieved ........

Too much information, eh, readers?!

matrix · Post by **matrix** » 22 Oct 2013, 06:02

ISPYSHHHGUY wrote:BIMBO was 'where it was at', for 'happening' tiny-tot readers----great scans, Phil, from about the time I was concieved ........

Too much information, eh, readers?!

Yes, keep it clean Rab!!

Lew Stringer wrote:Bimbo was an excellent nursery comic, with great art by Dudley Watkins, Bill Richie, and more. But what it really lacked was a photo strip about grubby looking life-size creepy puppets.

Like these!

matrix · Post by **matrix** » 22 Oct 2013, 06:04

And here is the 'Thunderbird' connection also from 'Candy' no2.

philcom55 · Post by **philcom55** » 22 Oct 2013, 09:13

matrix wrote:Like these!

AAAAGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!

philcom55 · Post by **philcom55** » 22 Oct 2013, 09:20

...Ahem!

matrix wrote:And here is the 'Thunderbird' connection also from 'Candy' no2.

Interesting. It's hard to be sure but the style looks very much like Gerry Embleton.

- Phil Rushton

matrix · Post by **matrix** » 22 Oct 2013, 09:59

What about 'TV Land' does anyone know much about it? I get confused with all the tv comics where does this one fit in?
Not a bad little comic really, most of the panels are in the shape of a tv, I think Jiffy the broomstick man is great!

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 22 Oct 2013, 13:14

How many weeks was it before Candy's publisher City Magazines/Century 21 realised what an ill advised concept the creepy puppet photo-strip was, replacing it with artwork?

philcom55 · Post by **philcom55** » 23 Oct 2013, 08:55

Lew Stringer wrote:How many weeks was it before Candy's publisher City Magazines/Century 21 realised what an ill advised concept the creepy puppet photo-strip was, replacing it with artwork?

I'd like to know that too; Denis Gifford just says the format changed in 1968. In fact I can't help wondering why 'Anderson Fan Supreme' Shaqui Le Vesconte hasn't uploaded a detailed history of Candy onto his Technodelic website yet. Surely there can't be something about the subject matter that's putting him off...?

Come on Shaqui: it's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it!

- Phil R.

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Younger reader comics (the best of the rest)

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