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:
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