Comics UK

Whilst reading one of my many D C Thomson girl's comics from 1986, I came across an advertisement for "Super Mags for girls" that featured two full-length stories in colour. The advert also featured a "Super Mags for boys" and a "Super Mags" with 'funnies' (ie Beano, Dandy type strips). Now, not being one to miss another title to collect (though I get the feeling these were one-offs), does anyone know where it may be possible to get hold of this? I've scanned the usual sites and there don't seem to be any around at the moment. Any information on this would be appreciated.

Never heard of these at all... but then i was 2 in 1986. Still you think you'd see 'em on ebay if they sold in any great number

Could "Super mag funnies" have been a fore-runner of Classics, which began 10 years later?

Offhand I'm only aware of one issue of each. The 'funnies' one featured Nick Kelly and Dennis and Gnasher in 'The Long Way Home'; Supermag for Boys featured Tracker in 'Death Run', and 'The Feud', while Supermag for Girls featured 'Where is Wendy?' and 'Three's a Crowd' (but then you probably know that from the advert).

Somewhere or other I've got another obscure DCT title from the same period called (I think) Katy, which reprinted long stories on glossy paper and in full colour; unfortunately I've no idea how long that lasted either. Meanwhile I've just acquired some old copies of Nikki, also from the 80s, which pleasantly surprised me with the originality of their covers - particularly the later ones drawn by Paul 'Jack Staff' Grist.

- Phil R.

Thanks for the info philcom - the only place I saw one (a Super Mags for girls)for sale was on an NZ site and it had been sold! I'll keep looking out for it!

As for the Katy comic, this was an IPC publication which I think ran for 8 issues or so and was fortnightly. I recently bought issue 1 and it features reprints from Misty(The Cats of Carey Street), Tammy(Guitar Girl) and Jinty(Combing Her Golden Hair - though here it was renamed Comb of Mystery).

I've also recently acquired some Nikki comics, which I have previously maligned but I have changed my opinion - it's quite good actually and much better than I realised.

There were only the three editions of 'Super Mag' as mentioned all printed on very high quality paper.

I've just bought a Super Mags for girls from 26 Pigs! If anyone else is interested the Super Mags for boys and the "funnies" Super Mags are also available............hurry while stocks last!!!!!!!

Let us know what you think of it Hels! It's good to know that somebody is taking such a keen interest in comics' distaff side.

Maybe we ought to start a thread on the most interesting girls' titles in our collections? The problem with the boys' stuff imho is that so much of it has now been thoroughly catalogued, whereas it's still possible to stumble across some real surprises in series like the Schoolgirls' Picture Library, etc.

- Phil R.

Funny you should mention Schoolgirl's Picture Library, i have one single issue from (it appears) the mid sixties and it's very high quality (art/writing wise anyway), i'll be hunting for more soon!

Well, my Super mags for girls arrived today and I've just started reading it - it's pretty good so far! It's smaller than the usual D C Thomson comic and the stories are in colour and it's printed on good quality paper - it's a shame these were only a one-off.

With regard to the Schoolgirl's Picture Library Ken Graham may have some. He sells printed collectables at Ephemera and Film fairs. He has a website which shows 45 copies of Schoolgirl's PL for sale at 3 quid apiece but it may be out of date. If you type Ken's Paper Collectables into google it'll be the first site listed. No harm in e-mailing him and asking, he's quite affable and will give a discount if you buy in bulk. Also there is the ABC fair in London in September where you are bound to find some. (see the fairs section for details).

Hmm, i'll keep a look out for that site for other things, but if i need any more Schoolgirl's Picture Library i know of a certian shop in Cambridge with enourmous amounts of them *lips zipped smiley*

(as in-i couldnt describe where to find it if i tried! but i know one end of the alley it's in comes out facing one of the fancy colleges, and it's red and usually has boxes outside. But you need to ask them special to go up to the storypapers/comics section XD)