Tiger 13th October 1973

 This week Tiger offers the stars of British sport super sports wheel. As enticing as that sounds, I'm more interested in the stories within, so thanks for the offer Tiger, but I'll just stick with the stories! 

Tiger
13 October 1973

Roy Of The Rovers

Putting the jinxed kit storyline behind them, Roy Of The Rovers picks up a new direction as Roy and his striker Jumbo Trudgeon run rings around Kingsbay. Jumbo shows some great sportsmanship early on when roughly tackled by an opposition player, but confesses to Roy that he has something trouble on his mind. that trouble is revealed later in the strip when a group of protestors behind the goal throw an egg at Jumbo, and one of them clambers over the hoardings to attack him. This story is immediately better than the jinxed kit, and it's great to see millionaire Jumbo centre stage. Not too much is given away yet, the protesters are angry at Jumbo, but we don't know why asides from some of their banners, one which proclaims "save our village" Intrigue and action, things are looking good for the next few weeks, and although this isn't the most exciting episode of Roy Of The Rovers, one can see that the potential is there for the coming weeks.  

 Rating: 6.5/10

Best Line: "Quite right! It looked much worse than it was! Don't let's punish the fellow for a bit of over-enthusiasm" 

Tallon Of the Track

New story alert! Taking over  Charlie Champ's War is a new strip - Tallon Of the Track. This is much more to my taste, a strip about speedway, and in particular, the 'Flying Ospreys" team has my senses tingling. The first page bodes well, with crisp clean artwork that appeals to my eye, and fine-looking motorcycle action, I have already bought into the story before we have even begun. Ospreys captain David Trent is out injured and musing on the need for a new colourful rider to inject some luck into the team. As luck would have it, he sees just such a rider at a local county show. This rider jumps twenty-four flaming barrels and makes a superb landing. David thinks he's found the perfect rider for his team and calls out, only for the rider to accelerate straight at him in the final panel. We don't know a lot about this story yet, but as I said above, I am totally sold on this concept, and this issue of Tiger has already gone up in my estimation based on this story alone. A solid start, next week I look forward to learning more. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Huh? The fool's accelerated! He's driving straight at me!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

A fresh start in Martin's Marvellous Mini this week, and the boys are back to square one as they advertise their services to anyone who might be interested. The only people who answer the advertisement are two old ladies who offer Tiny and Martin a share of a hidden treasure -if they can find it! Armed with a clue, they head off for tower Bridge, only to be run off the road by a couple of thugs who threaten them with a gun and demand the clue. I enjoyed last week's finale, but this new story is something else, and like the previous Tallon of the Track I am engrossed in it even two pages in. If the story continues at this rate I will be a very happy man indeed. Great stuff, and I can see it will only get better.           

 Rating: 8/10

Best line: "They've scratched George's lovely paintwork!"

The Tigers

The most improved story goes to The Tigers and the woeful Chunky Clark. His misadventures have mostly misfired for me, but this week's angling story has me laughing and feeling empathy with Chunky.  With second-rate gear, Chunky practices his angling, while the other Tigers fret about him being the laughing stock at the contest. After snaring his rival Ron Burton and throwing him in the river, the story evolves to Chunky being adrift in a boat heading towards a weir while Ron Burton looks on helpless. Nice to see Ron portrayed as someone who has a sense of right, as he worries about Chunky and the weir, and again the artwork is of a high standard with crisp clear lines that serve the story well. Even when the story is busy, the artwork never is. I wasn't a fan of The Tigers in the first few issues, but Chunky Clark and his boys are slowly winning me over, 

 Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Yahoo! I've caught something! It feels like a whopper.." 

A Horse Called Ugly

Well, A Horse Called Ugly has finally arrived in South America, but he still isn't happy. Despite everything laid on for Joe and Ugly, neither one of them feels comfortable in these new surroundings. Not a lot happened in this issue, they arrived, Ugly was playing up, Joe was unhappy, the final panel he says it isn't their scene and he wants to go home. But my biggest problem isn't that lack of action, but rather the very first lines of the story. "The team was to compete in South America. Soon after their arrival in that country.." Now, I'm no expert, but I'm confident that South America isn't a country, it's a continent. They could be in any number of countries. It's a vague description of where they are and seems careless. I can't get over this line as I read the rest of the story, and I possibly would have rated it higher if they cleaned this up.  

 Rating: 4/10

Best line:  "Joe's only happy when he knows Ugly's happy" 

Football Family Robinson 

 Ahh, Football Family Robinson and my girl Viv. Unfortunately, Viv doesn't feature much this week, and the new storyline features Alf Robinson and his struggles against opposing player Rodney Bull. Rodney Bull is a hard man, and pushes Alf too far in the match, Alf eventually snapping and punching him. Alf is sent off, only to see Rodney get to his feet laughing. At the Robinson dinner after, Alf admits he shouldn't have retaliated. later that night he takes a shortcut home done an alleyway where he finds the unconscious Rodney Bull. A bystander accuses Alf of having a hand in it just as the police arrive. This is another strip that I was slow to warm to, but this issue has me intrigued, and I find myself already thinking ahead to next week. Another story with a solid start, I expect next week will be more of the same, and maybe a little more Viv?       

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "Look at Bull - he only pretended to be hurt. He's laughing all over his face now that he's managed to get Alf sent off"

Skid Solo

With the race season behind him, we get a tightly written single story for Skid Solo this week. Skid and Sparrow are attending race meetings around America, and this week are racing in a sports car event - finishing one, two, naturally. After the race, Skid tells the story of Paul James the second whose son they had raced against earlier in the day. Paul James the second was so called because he finished second throughout his career, he could never quite win the victory. In the final race of his career, he was winning but stopped letting another car pass him, so he wouldn't sully his reputation. Skid tells Sandy that Paul's son is also called Paul, and Sparrow jokes he will be Paul the third. Sandy asked how he did today, and Skid tells us that he came....third. Not the funniest joke in the world, and the did take the whole strip to reach the punch line, but I still enjoyed it for what it is. The story moved at a good pace, there was nice race action, and I enjoy the easy way the main characters interact. Good but not great.   

Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "He was third!" 

 Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

We get some much-needed grip-and-grapple action this week in Johnny Cougar and after the previous wrestling-free weeks, I'm glad to see it. Starting the story with a flying dropkick, we are in the heat of the action as Johnny takes on The Mexican. As the match finishes with Johhny throwing his opponent out of the ring with an Irish whip, we are transported to Central Europe where the Great Tovaritch reads of his exploits. Vowing to beat Johnny, he travels to London and confronts Johnny and Splash in a hotel restaurant, where the story ends this week with Splash thrown into the dessert table. While this particular issue isn't great, the story looks like it may have the potential to be quite exciting in the coming weeks. Another big man taking on Johnny is the bread and butter of this story, and one can't go too far wrong with a basic wrestling storyline, roll on next week, and we'll see where this story takes us. 

Rating: 5/10

Best Line:  "Someone make heap big noise at hotel entrance."

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Martin's Marvellous Mini

Best Line: Kingsbay - "There's nothing polite about his shooting!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 6th October 1973

My wife says I should get out more. True, it is a beautiful sunny winter's day out, but why take the risk of a chill when I have a warm cup of tea in hand and a pile of newsprint next to me. These are my simple pleasures, the outside world can wait a while - I've got comics to read.

Tiger
6 October 1973

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy Of The Rovers drops us straight into the action, with new goalkeeper Charlie Carter facing his first challenge from Portdean. It is attention-grabbing from the start and both the story and Charlie live up to the front page billing as Charlie makes a courageous save before setting Rovers off on to attack. This week's issue draws several story threads together into a pleasing conclusion. Charlie gives an unexpected performance, his flashy play put behind him as all he ever wanted was to play in the first team. Likewise, the story of the jinxed kit is put to rest as Peny returns with a photo of a previous Melchester Rovers wearing a similar strip, and being successful with it. All this feels a little too neat to me, having both threads conclude in the same issue, but it clears the plate for future stories to start. I have mixed feelings about this issue, very happy with the Charlie storyline, but the jinxed kit story seemed to just whimper out. Still, I can't deny a great five-nil win over Portdean, well-done boys!          

 Rating: 6/10

Best Line: "He's safe as houses! And they said this lad was supposed to be a showman!" 

A Horse Called Ugly

 After a disappointing start to the polo match last week, things improve for Ugly and Joe in this week's A Horse Called Ugly.  With their turn of fortune, the story seems to improve too and I enjoy this edition far more than last week Joe's team takes a beating, but he and Ugly give a good performance and earn their place on a trip to South America. I found the on-field action good, and it put me in mind of a good football strip. The artwork of the horses in action was superb, and even though I haven't given it a great rating this week, I did enjoy it very much. 

 Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "Pick up your feet you old haybag. Move!" 

Skid Solo 

These are the type of Skid Solo stories I love to see. The final race of the season, everything on the line, and some adverse weather, it's all about the on-track action for this season finale. Skid and Sparrow take a gamble with some dry tyres under some wet conditions, but it comes good for them as the sun appears late in the race, paving the way for a one-two finish that assures Skid wins the drivers championship. The artwork captured the speed of the action well, and there is the drama running through the issue as we wait to see if the sun will appear. Sure, it's a cliche to have Skid win the championship in the final race of the season, but it is the reason we all read the comic. Skid Solo, champion of the world, it doesn't get much better than that. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "Ye keep oot o' ma way, mon! I've enough to do wi' oot ye interrupting. Wet tyres...dry tyres.. I dinna ken why ye canna make up yer minds earlier!" 

Charlie Champ's War

We take a comedic turn next with Charlie Champ's War. I never warmed to this story in the previous issues, and this week is more of the same as Charlie causes chaos. A rough and tumble fight at the beginning leads to Charlie finding a map and devising a plan to smoke out the Germans. After successfully executing the plan, the Germans are captured and our time with Charlie ends as the story concludes. This week's episode was better than the week before, but even so, I'm secretly pleased this is now finished. As much as I like the art style, the story never once engaged me, and I know that the story that will be replacing it will be much more to my taste. Thanks for your service Charlie, but we're moving on.   

Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "Well, thank you Sir... it comes naturally to some people... some of us are born Champions."  

Martin's Marvellous Mini

This is a week for endings it seems. After the concluding storylines of Roy Of The Rovers, Skid Solo, and the end of The Charlie Champ strip, we have another ending as Martin's Marvellous Mini current story with Mr. Pog winds up. It is also the end of their partnership with Luigi Moroni, as their time together ends. With the mini "George" being held for randoms, Luigi lends Tiny and Martin a couple of motorbikes to go and recover their precious vehicle. Instead of delivering the ransom in a sack, they instead deliver Mr. Pog a sack full of blank paper, and a mouse trap to boot. The story ends quickly from here, the villain getting his comeuppance as the tractor he was going to use to crush "George" instead crashes into his house. I enjoy these pages, and although this week is short, it is a tidy conclusion to all that has come before. A fond farewell to Luigi Moroni, and the promise of new adventures next week have me leaving the boys on a high.      

 Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "All's-a well that ends-a well"

 Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

The main story for Johnny Cougar ended last week, but we're not yet into the next story arc as this week's strip is a one-off filler. While Johnny is recovering in hospital, under strict instructions to take it carefully, it is Splash who suffers a series of accidents and misfortune, the final panel seeing him bandaged up in bed. The story is amusing enough, but with no wrestling action and very little Johnny involved I find myself drifting in and out of it. It is a placeholder for what is to come, and it feels like. An average week, we are hoping next week we will be more substantial.  

Rating: 4/10

Best Line:  "This mighty good! Letters from Tiger readers saying how pleased they are that Cougar well again"

Football Family Robinson 

 Another story finishes, as the drama of Grizzly and his weight watchers comes to an end this week. After wishing to dress in a suit like Terry Twinkle, Grizzly finds that Terry has moved on in the fashion stakes. After a poor first half of a game, worrying about fashion, Terry suggests that Grizzly uses his tailor, leading to an impressive second half by Grizzle and a match-winning goal. I haven't been a fan of these weight watchers shenanigans, so again this is another story that I am pleased to see the back of. No real complaints about the story, it just hasn't been my cup of tea, but I do like the characters and art, so I have high hopes for next week. The way things are shaping up, next week may well be a bumper issue.     

Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "Who owns that grotty old suit?"

The Tigers

I enjoy Chunky Clark and his Tigers, much better this week. After the usual spills on the first page, Chunky ends up in the river and floating into his nemesis Ron Burton who happens to be fishing. This sets us up for an angling completion next week, and how that may play out. The first page didn't enthrall me, but my mood did lift once Chunky is in the river, and I have good feelings about the forthcoming adventures.  

 Rating: 5/10

Best line: "Grizzly grapefruit - it hurts!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 5.5/10

Best Story: Skid Solo

Best Line: Mr. Pog - "My house, my new house...wrecked!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 29th September 1973

 I was pleasantly surprised about how enjoyable some of the lesser stories were in last week's Tiger comic. This blog may prove to be a lot more enjoyable than I first anticipated. Sure, I expected to like a lot of the stories, and I have fond memories of many of them, but to find a couple of stories going beyond my expectations last week, well that was a bonus. So this week, my anticipations levels are much higher, let's hope this issue delivers.  

Tiger
29 September 1973

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

I wasn't 100% on board with this story last week, but this week sees the end of the arc and I am much more at peace with it. Last week we finished with Splash running towards the Johhny's overturned vehicle just as it caught fire. This week begins with the car exploding, before Johnny reveals himself to be Ok, but still under the control of the professor. Johnny is commanded to shoot Splash, but he can't bring himself to do it, and the professor loses control of his mind. Splash takes control of the situation, hitting the professor with a drop-kick and leaving it to the police to take him away. The story ends with Johnny seemingly fully recovered and looking forward to more adventures, as am I. With the story starting on the color front page, it gains a lot of excitement, and the image of the car exploding is particularly effective. The final denouncement of the villain is perhaps too easy, but then again I haven't been party to all that has gone on before. I liked the action in this story, and Splash's dropkick was great for pulling it back to its wrestling roots. I love a good dropkick!        

Rating: 6/10

Best Line:  "Cougar confused. Head whirls like dust in prairie sandstorm"

Roy Of The Rovers

When we last left Roy Of The Rovers, Roy was heading to the trophy room to find the information he needs to break the new kit's jinx. After falling asleep there, he is awoken the next morning by Penny who suggests he tries The Melchester Chronicle for the information he needs. Roy dispatches Penny there, while he heads off to meet the team for their away game against Portdean. The team is concerned about both the next strip and the new goalkeeper, Charlie Carter. As the game kicks off, Roy waits anxiously for Penny to return, while all eyes are on the new goalkeeper. We have jumped straight into a key moment of Roy Of The Rovers- the arrival of Charlie. I am enjoying seeing the team react to him, especially as I know he will later become a key member of the squad. I also enjoyed seeing the Melchester Rover's trophy room. Crammed full of trophies and memories, my only wish is we could see more of what was in there. Here's hoping Charlie has a good game against Portdean, he is cut from a different cloth than the rest of the team and brings some life to the comic strip.                

 Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "That's all we need, a smart-alec between the sticks "

The Tigers

 Last week I was charmed by the adventures of Chunky Clark and his Tigers, this week I am not. We see the final roller skating obstacle race play out, but it's just not as fun as the previous week. The novelty of seeing Chunky on skates has worn off and I just don't feel the same warmth towards it as I did last week. On the positive side, some of the expressions used still make me smile, and I do enjoy the freedom of the art style 

 Rating: 3/10

Best line: "Galloping gravy! Where am I now?" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

This week Mr. Pog makes good on his promise to get revenge upon the boys and their car. While martin and Tiny are being introduced to a small bumper car, used to train drivers, Mr. of steals George. They pursue him in the bumper car, but he makes a clean escape, leaving behind a ransom note for 5000 pounds. The story moves swiftly, and we are left with a cliffhanger that ensures I'll be back next week. The dialogue isn't as good as the previous issue, but the artwork and the bumper car pursuing George are worth every panel. This doesn't reach the highs of last week, but it comes close.     

 Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "How you do boys? No luck, eh? "  

Skid Solo 

It's the final race of the season, and with a six-point lead over Toni Meirellia, Skid Solo is the man of the moment. All the media attention is on him leading up to the U.S. Grand Prix. Seeking some peace and quiet, the story ends with him, Sandy, and Sparrow sneaking into Watkins Glen where they can finally get some privacy. There is not a lot of action in this story,m in fact no action at all, but it is interesting to see how busy Skid is kept with media interviews, advertising, and generally just being well known. I had never noticed it before, but in this strip, he does bear a striking resemblance to Ken of Ken and Barbie fame, I certainly hope I can unsee that before next week's issue!

Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "Super..it's just like camping!" 

A Horse Called Ugly

 With a chance to go to South America resting on his performance in a polo match, this week's story begins with Joe using apples to teach Ugly about Polo. One can see early on where this might go, and it is borne out once that match begins, in the final panels we see the players bemoaning a lost ball, only for Joe to point out that Ugly is trying to eat it - "Oh, no!" indeed. This is another story that I didn't enjoy as much as last week, although once again the art lifts it beyond my expectations. This issue of Tiger started strongly, but it does sag at this point with A Horse Called Ugly.    

 Rating: 4/10

Best line:  "Where's the ball? It's disappeared" 

Football Family Robinson 

 After keeping secrets last week, finally, all is revealed about Grizzly Robinson -he's been going to weight watchers. Motivated by the outfits worn by pop star Terry Twinkle, Grizzly has his heart set on his own flashy suit. Ma alters it to fit, and Grizzly is a happy man. But as the game gets underway, Terry Twinkle appears in the crowd, distracting Grizzly on the pitch. Once again I am transported back to the 70s and the time of Glam Rock, I see Terry Twinkle fitting here perfectly. My dream girl Viv once again steals my attention in every panel she is in, and I love seeing Grizzly reveal his new suit. Not as strong as the last issue, but still good.    

Rating: 5.5/10

Best line:  "Come down here, whoever you are"

Charlie Champ's War

After freeing the troops from the underground tunnels last week, this week we see Champ and the men emerge, only to find there are no Germans. It looks like a trap, and it is, as the Germans suddenly appear, taking them prisoner again. Luckily a quick-thinking Champ grabs a firehose and overpowers the Germans. Unfortunately, he can't control this weapon, and loses control of both it and the situation, leading to the Germans escaping into the tunnels. This story remains the odd man out. It may have sporting roots, but the story it tells is far removed from these roots. I like it, but not as much as the other stories in this issue and it remains the black sheep of the family for me. 

Rating: 4/10

Best line:  "I don't like it Champ, it's too quiet! it could be a trap!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 5/10

Best Story: Martin's Marvellous Mini

Best Line: Penny - "The things I do for Melchester!"

Best Panel:

September '73 -My journey begins!

I don't remember September of 1973 very well. I was too busy with important things like being born to concern myself with what was happening in the world of boys' comics. It would be some years before it I would discover Tiger comic, and then it was mostly due to the appearance of my namesake -Hotshot Hamish. From then on I collected Tiger comics throughout my youth, picking up back issues whenever I could, always keeping an eye out at second-hand stores for older issues. Since the mid-eighties, these comics have sat in boxes as I've dragged them from one house to another, always promising myself that one day I would pull them out and read them again. And now, finally, I have reached that stage of my life where I have the time to sit down and enjoy these comics once again. I've waited a long time for this, so I've decided to blog my re-read, and share my joy and enthusiasm with others as I dig through these stories that gave me such much pleasure as a kid. What better place to start than the beginning of my own personal journey in September of 1973. So, let us rewind the clock and take look at what was happening in the Tiger the week of my birth 

22 September 1973

Skid Solo
As a child, Skid Solo was a firm favorite, and reading it now I can see why. With crisp clean artwork, engaging characters, and the potential for both single issues stories as well as the long story of the season unfolding, there is a lot here to keep me coming back for more. This week's issue is a typical Skid Solo story, with Skid and Sparrow in Canada for the Canadian grand prix. After an opening page of them experiencing kayaking, in which Sparrow loses his paddle and is told to "sit back and enjoy the view, and wait for it to stop" we are taken to Mosport Park and the Drivers championship points table, where Skid sits second behind his rival Mareillia. There is very little drama in the race for Skid, the story focuses on Sparrow Smith as the steering wheel comes off in his hands, leaving him to crash into a sign beside the track. As Skid takes the checkered flag, the story wraps up with Sparrow repeating the line from the first page "sit back and enjoy the view, and wait for it to stop." It's all very tidy, and apart from the drama of Sparrow's crash the rest of the story runs smoothly in the background. I thought more might have been made about Skid claiming the points, and taking the lead in the table with one race left, but there isn't much room for any excess fat on these stories, and it does enough to keep moving forward, without adding too much extra. This story I feel is par for the course, enjoyable enough, but I know there are better Skid Solo stories out there.    

Rating: 5/10

Best Line:  "I don't know about lemon juice, but this crash isn't going to be good for me.."

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy Of The Rovers needs no introduction, but in this issue, there is one very special introduction - Charlie the cat! This week's story starts with the ongoing issue of the team thinking their new kit is jinxed. With the reserve keeper, Peter Baker, in hospital after a car accident, many of the team think there is a hoodoo on the kit. Meanwhile, Roy and Tony Storme draw a new keeper from the Melchester 'A' team - one Charlie  Carter. A flashy young kid, with a schoolboy following and wild haircut to suit, Roy and Tony are forced to play him, having no other options left. The story finishes with Roy rushing to the Trophy room with an idea that may solve the case of the hoodoo on the new kit. Roy Of The Rovers is always going to appeal to a football fan such as me, and this story, in particular, has an extra sheen of special given that it is the first appearance of Charlie Carter. With several threads running through the story, it is a page turner, and I can't wait until next week to see what awaits Roy in the trophy room, and how Charlie will go in his first game.         

 Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "If we lose the next game it won't be because my players are as fit as flaming commandos..so move! Don't stop until I tell you! I'll fine the first man who even pauses for breath"

The Tigers

 After the high of Roy Of The Rovers, The Tigers can only be a letdown. However, I am charmed by its humor, and despite my expectations, I find myself smiling as I read it. Chunky Clark, Captain of the Tigers youth club, is roller skating his way to disaster, only to get a lucky break by not breaking anything in the cafeteria. This leads to the officials deciding to have a roller skating obstacle course. Chunky fails miserably, only to be awarded second place after another team misses taking an obstacle. Although it doesn't seem like much happens in this story, there are plenty of thrills and spills, and a healthy does of slapstick, in the pages, and despite myself, I enjoy it. Not normally my cup of tea, but I'm going to rate it highly given how good it made me feel.   

 Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Ooops, the floor's gone all funny!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

When we were children, whenever we saw a mini on the road my brother and I would yell out "Martins Marvellous Mini!"  From this, you can deduce that I have been a lifelong fan, and reading it now I can see why. More excellent artwork, some characters that express anger and frustration as well as a happy-go-lucky attitude, and a mini that is constantly involved in scrapes and high jinx. This week Martin and Tiny are racing for the Marconi stable, while advertising "Pogs Pork Pies" on the side of the mini, "George." An overbearing bearing Mr. Pog pushes them too hard, and in his attempt to go faster Martin crashes into a hoarding. Mr. Pog is less than impressed and the story ends with him threatening to ruin the pair of them. This story is eye-catching as it appears in colour, and of all the stories is perhaps the most suited to the color format. I enjoy the dialogue in this story, and angry Mr. Pog is great, and Tiny gives back as good as he gets, making for some great interplay between the two. A mainstay of Tiger comic, I will keep yelling "Martin's Marvellous Mini" for many more years.   

 Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Don't stand there wagging your finger at me, you silly old buffer!"  

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton. 

Somehow as a child, I missed the joke with the name "Splash Gorton," but safe to say, I get it now. This week's story picks up with Johnny Cougar under mind control by a professor who is using him for nefarious means. A suspicious Splash follows the pair, but the professor deals with him with his car which is loaded with gadgets worthy of James Bond. In this case, it is oil pouring out of the car and then igniting that undoes the pursuing Splash. The villainous professor doesn't escape scott free, however, as his own vehicle crashes a couple of panels later, leaving him and Johnny Cougar trapped in the wreckage, the final panel Splash looking on as the car burns. Quite a cliffhanger, and despite my reservations about the mind control storyline, I do enjoy the final page. I much prefer to see Johnny Cougar wrestling, and I hope this story wraps up soon, and we can return to some grappling action in the ring. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "There they go, Taxi-man, in that tin-can. Don't let them out of your sight Daddy-O" 

Charlie Champs War

 I enjoy the art in Charlie Champs War immensely, even if the story doesn't thrill me. Charlie Champ and Captain Steel are trying to free their comrades from a network of underground tunnels. After being caught in the act by the Germans, they are saved by the exploding arms depot outside. A nifty piece of sharpshooting by Charlie Champ sees his comrades free, but upon returning to the surface they find the area empty. Maybe next week the story will evolve further, but without knowing what happened earlier, this issue feels like filler before the story moves further forward. Beautiful art, but not a lot for me besides that.  

 Rating: 4/10

Best line:  "This is good, just like the fairground stalls- stand by to run at 'em, skipper" 

Football Family Robinson 

 I don't remember enjoying Football Family Robinson as a child, but that has changed with the passing of years, and there is a lot I appreciate about this particular story. The family is concerned with the lack of form from Grizzly Robinson, and the appearance of a strange man delivering a crate only deepens the mystery. There is a football game that sits between the Grizzly storyline, but even that keeps the story moving forward. I thought that I may lose interest in the comic as we get to the later stories, but this one is surprisingly good. As a bonus, I must admit, Viv Robinson is quite easy on the eye! 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Grizzly is entitled to his privacy, the same as any of us. If he wants his door locked, that's his affair"

A Horse Called Ugly

I didn't think a horse story would interest me, but like the Football Family Robinson before it I can't up but find myself caught up in it. Joe Larcombe begins the issue this week on Ugly chasing down a car with a badly behaved horse in the horsebox. The cause of the problem turns out to be a snake, which Joe duly removes. The story ends with a chance for Joe and Ugly to go to South America if they perform well in the upcoming polo match. I wouldn't have thought this would for gripping reading, but there is enough here to hold my eye, and I find myself quietly enjoying myself. If it keeps on at this level, I will be more than happy. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "Ugh! a snake! how horrible!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6/10

Best Story: Martin's Marvellous Mini

Best Line: Mr Pog - "Now don't you be saucy, lad! I've paid your Maroni stables a hundred pounds "

Best Panel: