Talk here about just about anything associated with British comics or story papers and the industry that does not fit in any other forum.
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Kashgar wrote:Having half an hour to spare I thought a few fellow forumites might appreciate the following list of additions to the text of Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury's 'Great British Comics' published last year by Aurum Press...
...And let's not forget that weird typo on page 4 where a girl is said to be reading a copy of The Beezer in 1955 - more than six months before the first issue was published!
On the other hand it's only fair to stress that such errors are hugely outweighed by the truly astonishing amount of accurate detail and scholarship crammed into every page of this wonderful book. I really doubt if anybody could have done a better job, and I'd hate to think of anyone here being put off from buying it by our comments: as I see it they should simply be seen as a helpful addendum rather than any kind of criticism.
- Phil Rushton
This is absolutely the case. I wasn't in any way trying to denigrate the book as a whole with this addendum. It is a fabulous tome and a must for any British comic's fan.
Re Tom Kerr I'm afraid I don't know anything about the man and as to his artistic output a lot of it remains elusive as he seems never to have settled with one strip or comic title for long.
There is his work for titles like Valiant and Buster of course but then there is also his work for girls papers and particularly nursery titles which, due to their limited interest with collectors, has largely remained uncatalogued.
Tom Kerr has always been one of those 'pleasant surprise' artists to me whose work turns up in the most unexpected places but whose style you always immediately recognise and are happy to see.
Kashgar - thanks for the feedback , just males Tom Kerrs work all th emore interesting lol - wasn't aware of any work he had done in nursery titles - you wuldn't have any idea of the titles (possile strips, rought years ) concerned would you - Tom seemed to do fair amountof his work on the Lion inth early years as I always find the od fill in strip by him there and in annuals.
Tom Kerr had the 'misfortune' (or luck - it may have been his call!) to be represented by an agency who protected the privacy of their artists almost to the point of M.I.5 secrecy!
As Roger Perry, art editor on the Century 21 book range recalled recently to me, "Perhaps I?m being a bit sensitive about this but Tom Kerr was represented by *this agency*, and *this agent* would NOT have entertained the idea of allowing ANYONE to have any contact what-so-ever with the brood under their wing. In the thirty-eight years I?ve known *this agent*, even though I?ve employed many of those they represented and have handed out thousands and thousands of pounds to them, not once have I ever met ANY of them. Tom Kerr and Howard (Elson) would NOT have met and ANY liaison that took place would have been through *this agent* themself."
Note: *I have replaced the agent's name in these instances* The agent in question, though in their very latter years, is still active, and may not wish to be pestered regarding the matter. Roger himself kindly tried to put questions to this agent on my behalf on a recent visit to the UK, and was unable to illicit even vaguely interested responses...
Cap Haggis wrote:Kashgar - thanks for the feedback , just males Tom Kerrs work all th emore interesting lol - wasn't aware of any work he had done in nursery titles - you wuldn't have any idea of the titles (possile strips, rought years ) concerned would you?
He worked on 'Harold Hares Own Paper' around 1960/61, drawing at least 'Pinocchio' (some are signed), and I think also 'Pinky & Perky'. I'm sure he may also have been doing stuff in the 1950s as well...
I knew Roger Perry from polystyle he gave me the Persuaders job to do in 1972. he is a nice guy mr hooper was the other bloke who worked at polystyle i got on well with all the staff. Roger must be getting on in years now i did a drawing of him that i still have .
john56peter756brit wrote:I knew Roger Perry from polystyle he gave me the Persuaders job to do in 1972. he is a nice guy mr hooper was the other bloke who worked at polystyle i got on well with all the staff. Roger must be getting on in years now i did a drawing of him that i still have .
You've worked for DC Thomson, Martspress and Polystyle? You really should gather your memories for a website or interview John. Why not contact Brian at Crikey! for a feature?
Martspress published/printed Toby,the children's comic that ran from 1976 to 1978 before being swallowed by Jack and Jill in a fiery blaze of comic ash..meaning never to be heard of again.I wonder did they publish any other titles?
Lew Stringer wrote:You've worked for DC Thomson, Martspress and Polystyle? You really should gather your memories for a website or interview John. Why not contact Brian at Crikey! for a feature?
...and goes and bangs head against a nearby wall...
Cap Haggis wrote:Kashgar - thanks for the feedback , just males Tom Kerrs work all th emore interesting lol - wasn't aware of any work he had done in nursery titles - you wuldn't have any idea of the titles (possile strips, rought years ) concerned would you - Tom seemed to do fair amountof his work on the Lion inth early years as I always find the od fill in strip by him there and in annuals.
In the 1970's he did most of his work for the DC Thomson nursery titles. His main strips being 'The Magic Bus' which ran in 'Little Star' in 1972-1974 and two strips in 'Twinkle' 'Patty Pickle' and 'Witch Winkle' which between them ran through most of the 1970's.
In the 70s, Kerr was also contributing to 'Look-In', notably 'Crowther In Trouble', 'The Fenn Street Gang' and 'Doctor In Charge'. I'm guessing the latter one may have been towards the end of his career, to the end of 1973?
Kashgar wrote:In the 1970's he did most of his work for the DC Thomson nursery titles. His main strips being 'The Magic Bus' which ran in 'Little Star' in 1972-1974 and two strips in 'Twinkle' 'Patty Pickle' and 'Witch Winkle' which between them ran through most of the 1970's.
Sorry Kashgar, just caught the end of your post as I replied - does this mean Tom Kerr was working to the end of the 70s, or were these strips continued by other artists?
is still around its been years since i have seen him.
...and goes and bangs head against a nearby wall...