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:
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