Comics UK

With all these nursery comics discussions:

In another blog I mentioned the re-launched "Magic" comic from the 1970s (there was another comic aimed at younger readers from DCT in the early 1940s, which folded due to the War rationing). I remmeber getting the first edition of this in 1975.

I remember its strips included Cuddly & Dudley (Biffo The Bear's nephew & niece, thoguh some media say "nephews") Copy Cat (Korky's nephew), plus a strip called "Spaceship Lollipop" (reminded of this thanks to Dennis Gifford's book).

Later on I can vaguley remember a strip i think called "James" about a day dreamy young boy.

The early back covers had cut out & keep sqares featuring a top middle & legs of varoius people (eg clown, policeman) and play "Misfits" swapping bits around with.

I think the second edition gave away a free gift of a badge of one of the characters.

Anyone have any other memories of this comic or information about what else was in it?

Issue 8.



Magic Wanda,Flying Flapears,Ring for Rosie,Tommy Trix,
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz,Spike the Hedgehog,
Copycat( his uncle is Korky the Cat),Dizzy Wizzy,
Spaceship Lollipop,Candy Come Home,Magic Club,
Peter Poppin, Cuddly and Dudley(their uncle is Biffo the Bear)
Magic Play-time, Magic Mixtures.

As a good guess where Dudley comes from...Dudley D Watkins!! Who of course drew Biffo the bear..

And Cuddly will have been chosen because it rhymes with Dudley.

I think that BIMBO stalwart Bob Dewar contributed his usual whimsical artwork towards MAGIC: --I thought the title had some great designs and illustrations, the quick glance I remember having through the contents.

I've just looked and am surprised to see there is no image of the first issue in the gallery section. I'll have to find my copy and scan it onto the loading bay.

Found it. I have issues 1 and 2 (but they don't have the free gifts in them which is odd - can't believe I threw them away). I have sent a scan of issue 1 to the loading bay but here are the covers for the impatient:

Thanks for tohse covers & info on the strips.

I think that "James" character must've come later on.

By the way how long did Magic run?

Three years. http://www.beano.com/retro-beano/biffo- ... ecade=1990

According to Denis Gifford it ran from 31 January 1976 to 24 February 1979 - 161 issues.

lol, bit of a fluke that we answered almost simultaneously, though your answer was more specific.

Yes my post was delayed by yours being put up simultaneously.

Canonically (ie the Beano) Cuddly and Dudley were both male - presumably a decision was taken that a nephew and niece would be better in Magic.