Tiger 13th April 1974

 I don't know much about April of 1974, I was only six months old at the time, but I do know that I greatly enjoyed reading this week's Tiger comic from that month. Perhaps it's my holiday mood, but I found that reading this in the summer sun, with a beer in hand rather than my usual cup of tea, was a soothing experience and the low-key drama of these stories suited my mood perfectly. 

Tiger

13th April 1974

Roy Of The Rovers

It feels like a long time since the last issue of Roy Of The Rovers, such is that holiday feeling between Christmas and New Year when the days seem to drag on. If I remember correctly when we last saw Roy and the team they were facing the aptly named Bridgewall in the semifinal of the FA Cup. Bridgewall is ready for the occasion, especially after seeing a photograph of Noel Baxter rugby tackling a player in training, and expects this to be a tough physical game. This week things escalate, although not as quickly as I expect, with the game unfolding across several pages. Jimmy Slade is the first to feel the physicality of the match, with a fearsome tackle from a Bridgewall player knocking him to the ground. An incensed Jimmy lets his feelings be known, but Roy is on hand to defuse the situation. Falling behind by a goal, Melchester Rovers pull a goal back just before halftime with the tactics they worked out on the training ground. With it all to play for, this week's strip reaches its climax with a fifty-fifty ball that sees Jimmy Slade bearing down on the Bridgewall keeper, and the game threatening to explode into violence if he flattens the keeper. Although the story didn't move as fast as I wanted, there are dark clouds gathering for what might be an explosive next issue. It was good to see Jimmy in action earlier on, laying the groundwork for these final panels and raising the stakes for what follows. The game itself is proving to be even, and Bridgewall is certainly living up to its name with its wall defence. It may not be the beautiful game in these panels, but it is high-stakes drama, and next week should see things boil over. You can bet that I'll be here for it.

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "It's a race for the ball...and Jimmy's going in like a bomb!"

  

Johnny Cougar and Splash Gorton

I didn't much care for the Trickster when we met him last week, and I don't much care for him now either. As they say in the wrestling business, he's got heat - but the wrong sort of heat. There is no wrestling action this week, it is all about the Trickster and his tricks. The problem for me is that his tricks aren't funny, and he is annoying rather than dangerous. On the beach he plays several jokes on Johnny and Splash, before disappearing with a smoke grenade, The next day and our two heroes are travelling across the desert when they find the Trickster waiting for them, he has hired a helicopter and flown in just to surprise them. A couple of annoying gags later and Johnny has had enough and wraps up the Trickster in an umbrella, saying he doesn't want to see him again until the match. Here at home, I nod vigorously in agreement, and I for one can't wait to see the back of this guy. If you needed an incentive to come back next week, this is it, the chance to see Johnny deal to the Trickster good and proper. Maybe not the best way to create a page-turner, having a character so annoying that people just want to see him dealt with, but it works on a basic level, and I already have the next issue ready to go in anticipation of Johnny Cougar handing out an ass-whipping. 

Rating: 4.5/10

Best line: "Cougar tired of your foolish jokes. Take care that the joke is not soon on you..."

Martin's Marvellous Mini

A dad joke appears in the first panel of Martin's Marvellous Mini, but I forgive it as elsewhere there is some cracking dialogue that speaks directly to me. The first panel sees Tiny and Martin speaking with the piper who had previously knocked Martin out with his bagpipes. All is quickly forgiven and our chums return to their lodgings. It is in the third panel that Martin tries to speak with Tiny, who is already in bed with the covers on his head. In a line that I have heard many times coming out of my own mouth when speaking to my wife, Tiny shortly tells him that all he wants to do is sleep, so turn off the light. Ah yes, Martin and Tiny are indeed just like a married couple. The next day, Tiny and Martin enjoy the hospitality of the Highland games, where they find there is a chance to race George with a prize of one hundred pounds. While Martin rushes off to enter, Tiny is left to his own devices, and finding a stray caber, tries his hand at caber tossing. He's no expert, that's for sure, and he ends up tossing it onto an expensive-looking car. With Martin returning to confirm that they have entered the event, Tiny points out the damage he has caused and explains that they must win it for the repair bill. In many ways this is a typical episode for Martin and Tiny, short on money, getting into scrapes and the chance to make it all good again with their driving skills.  While it is typical, it is also highly enjoyable, and I never tire of these events. The highlight of this week's story was the dialogue, not just in the two panels I have previously mentioned, but also later in the story there are several times when our two pals were talking that had me smiling from ear to ear. Not a lot of action, but this one reads so well that I can't help but rate it highly. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Not have I! An' I've never been to sleep in this bed before...but I'd like to! So put the light out!" 

Skid Solo

Skid Solo is back in Britain, but there's no Grand Prix this week, instead, we see Skid appear in a storyline that has him taking part in a challenge. We have seen a lot of these types of stories before, but this one is still enjoyable throughout. Attending a dinner, a gentleman called Payne challenges Skid to a ten-mile race, from his house to a village called Hadbury. The twist is that it is across country and while Skid will be driving, Payne will be on horseback. The race starts quickly, with the horse in front all the way as Skid struggles with the rough terrain. However, he keeps Payne in sight and has some luck when a storm hits. With a bolt of lightning spooking Payne's horse, Payne is knocked to the ground unconscious. Skid takes matters in hand, he drives Payne to the village and medical help, while towing the horse. Winning the race and saving Payne, Skid earns one hundred pounds for charity, and we end with a couple of panels of clever lines and puns alluding to the race, all par for the course in a Skid Solo story. Warm and likeable, but without breaking new ground, this is very much the stereotypical Skid Solo story. It was not as dramatic as some of the recent issues, and the change of pace served the story well as we have more time to enjoy the characters. With no high-speed action, we get some lovely close-ups of the faces involved, and I feel I know Skid a lot better after this story. Not earth-shattering, but well worth the time I took to read it. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Aye, and ye ken what they say...lightning never strikes the same place twice!" 

Football Family Robinson

Things finally reach boiling point in this week's Football Family Robinson, as Digger finally has his chance to confront Crash. Although locked in a back office, Digger kicks his way out as Crash is making a match-winning save. As the game ends, Digger storms the pitch and things get ugly, only for Ma Robinson to take a hand and drag Digger off by the crook of her umbrella. Back in the dressing room, harsh words are spoken, wild punches are thrown, and the strip ends with balls flying through the window while the hooligans responsible for the hoax smirk at the havoc they've caused. This is the episode I've been waiting for, and it delivered all I could have wanted and more. The onfield save by Crash was spectacular, and seeing Digger off-field finally blowing his top and breaking-out matched it for dynamic artwork. No real damage has been done yet, it's mostly angry words, but I like the drama and fury of it all.  We have been building to this point for several weeks now, and I can only hope that this story has a few twists and turns still left in it.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Right, you traitor- I'm gonna start by knockin' yer block off!" 

The Tigers

Chunky Clark was wildly out of control in a land yacht when we left him last issue, and the first half of this issue has him fighting to bring it back under his steady hand. Luckily (how often do we say that in these adventures?) his line gets caught around a horse's neck, so not only does the yacht slow down, but Chunky also has the horse tow him back to his waiting friends. The second half of the story we see the early rounds of the land yacht racing, with both Chunky and Ron winning their respective heats. Next week we will see the final, but it may not bode well for Chunky as in the final panel we see Ron loosening the wheels of his yacht. Again, this was a middling episode of The Tigers, but as I always say, less is more, and especially so in these slapstick stories. There was just enough humour to make me smile, and just enough drama to make me want to keep reading. Overall, nicely balanced and although I walk away with it making very little impression on me, I did enjoy it as I read it. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "He is Chunky Clark - Ron never tells a fib!"

Tallon Of The Track

There is still a lot of finger-pointing going on in regard to who is responsible for the mechanical failures Ospreys are experiencing on the track. With Oggie facing the heat, Jo sends him to wait in the office for the remainder of the racing. The rest of the racing meeting doesn't go well, as the Ospreys ride well within themselves, all scared that they could suffer mechanical failure. After losing to the Larchester Lions, Jo and Dave speak between themselves about their wavering faith in Oggie, only for him to overhear every word and walk away from the team. We leave the strip with Jo having doubts that it was Oggies fault and for the first time utters the words "sabotage." Of course, when this story first started my thoughts were on sabotage straight away, so this comes as no great surprise here. But it does mark a turning point in the story and in the coming weeks, I expect the focus will turn away from Oggie as Jo's hunt for a saboteur will begin. No high-speed action, but a pivot point in the story makes this a more interesting read than perhaps a quick skim of the page would suggest.

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "They have no faith in their machines anymore! They're scared to open up in case something goes badly wrong again and they pile up!" 

A Horse Called Ugly

This week Joe and Ugly arrive back in Britain and my worst fears are realised as the story dips in form. The fun and adventure of South America are put behind us as Joe and Ugly land in Britain and are immediately taken to a garden party at Angela's fabulous house. Joe being announced to the party as "Joseph Larcombe-Mate" is funny, but the rest of the story is Joe facing the class divide and Angela telling him she wants him to do a job for her brother. We end with a slapstick moment as Ugly eats the apples off a lady's hat, but the story can't compete with the colourful characters we have met over the last three months. I do like that a lot of information is given to us through each panel, and even though Joe is at the party for barely a page a lot happens there in both dialogue and artwork. Overall I feel it is a slow start for Joe back in England, although it is only the very first days and there is plenty of time for this story to grow and develop. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "M'lords, ladies and gentlemen...Mister Joseph Larcombe-Mate" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6.5/10

Best Story: Football Family Robinson

Best Line: "It-it's OK, chum...no harm done! I've always been 'knocked out' by Scottish music!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz:

Tiger 6th April 1974

The drama of the Football World Cup is over and I am back to the genuine sports drama on the pages of Tiger. To be honest, Roy Of The Rovers is going to feel a little tame compared to the World Cup Final I have just watched, but it matters little as my love of Roy Race and his stories remains as strong as ever. No matter how good Messi is, he'll never live up to the legend of Roy Race and his Melchester Rovers.

Tiger

6th April 1974

Johnny Cougar and Splash Gorton

Facing the K.O. Kid, it did appear that Johnny Cougar had quite a challenge ahead of him as we enter this week's issue. After the build-up he had, K.O. Kid promised much, and so I am most disappointed to see Johnny deal to him in a mere half page of action. Coming straight from his corner, Johnny hits his opponent with a forearm smash, leaving him knocked out on the canvas and an easy victory for Johnny. I feel cheated, and I'm not sure why the story has taken such a twist. We leave the wrestling ring behind us as Johnny and Splash head to the beach before the next round of the tournament in a couple of days. It is here that we are introduced to his next opponent, The Trickster. Trickster by name trickster by nature, Johnny and Splash are initially scared as a shark fin scythes through the water towards them, only for the Trickster to reveal one of his pranks and introduce himself. We have another interesting panel to finish as Splash speaks directly to the reader, ostensibly to hype up next week's wrestling match. This story was limp compared to previous issues, and the way the K.O. Kid story is built up and discarded in just two pages across both issues is the biggest disappointment. I can't say I'm overly happy about the appearance of this Trickster character, and I fear he may be another opponent that comes and goes in an issue. It's the old story of once bitten twice shy. On a positive note, the story was well told with clean artwork and we are facing next week with a clean slate and an open mind. Let's hope Johnny Cougar delivers what he does best - in-ring wrestling action. 

Rating: 4/10

Best Line: "Cougar think your sense of humour heap twisted"

Tallon Of The Track 

This story promised a lot last week, and although this issue doesn't elevate it in any way, it does keep it moving forward. Oggie the mechanic is still facing an angry Jimmy Benson for neglecting to do his job properly on Dave Trent's bike. After an angry confrontation, Jo smooths things over and the attention turns back to the track where the Ospreys are fighting hard and currently tied on 6 points. Heat three begins and things are looking good for Ospreys before disaster strikes as the chain on Jim Foster's bike snaps, leading to a pile-up between the two Ospreys riders. Back at the pits, accusations fly and Oggie admits that it was once again him that worked on the bike in question. This time Jo does not smooth things over and instead unleashes a barrage on Oggie in the final panel.  Although this isn't as good as last week, it still covers much the same ground and gives us several great-looking panels, with once again the crash looking spectacular on the page. With plenty of scowling faces, the drama between the characters is well expressed, and even though this isn't one of the best Tallon Of The Tracks' I have read, it remains a firm favourite based purely on the artwork. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "Oh, marvellous! Which one of you incompetent grease-monkeys was responsible for Foster's bike!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini 

With a lorry load of rubbish about to derail their rally chances, Tiny and Martin are off to a hot start this week. The tailgate of the lorry towing them does give way in the second panel of this week's issue, and rubbish is strewn across the road -with an oil drum coming desperately close to hitting George. Stopping to clean up the mess, things look bad for Tiny and Martin, yet things take a turn with the appearance of two police officers who not only provide some petrol for George but also escort them to the nearest petrol station. Entering the checkpoint in Edinburgh, our chums find themselves in the fourth position, and once again seeking cheap lodgings for the night as they wait for the next stage to begin. It is here that Edinburgh becomes part of the story, with the architecture making an appearance and the stereotypical Scotsman with a tartan Tam o shanter and a walking stick warning them of a phantom piper that brings bad luck. Soon enough the boys do come across a piper, a piper being thrown out of a cafe and Martin is knocked out by some bagpipes.  A lot of these things we have seen before, the car running out of petrol, a ghost story, Tiny and Martin seeking cheap accommodation, but is all well told and doesn't feel tired. I think this can be attributed to the artwork, which props up the story and provides memorable sequences throughout. Even in this story of only a couple of pages, there are five or six panels that stick in my head, and although it doesn't shine as brightly as other stories it remains firmly dependable in delivering a highly readable story.  

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "We'll find somewhere small...and not too expensive!"

Skid Solo

Skid and his team are leaving Australia this week, but just because they're going to be on a jumbo jet for the next 24 hours doesn't mean we're not going to get plenty of exciting motoring action. Settling in to watch the inflight film, Sparrow and Sandy spend most of the flight critiquing the driving and action scenes of the movie, which we also see panel by panel. Scoffing at the implausibility of some of the scenes, Sandy and Sparrow are rebuked by Skid who says everything seen in the film is realistic, and as the credits roll we see why he has such an opinion, he was the stunt driver for all the car scenes. The story ends here, and I admire the clever way that this got our heroes back to the UK, but kept motoring front and centre through the story. The panels depicting the motoring look fantastic, and even though I foresaw the little twist at the end I still found I enjoyed it. It's not classic Skid Solo, but I rate it very highly for the action sequences and clever storytelling. Next week we are back to racing action, and after seeing this I am well-primed for what comes next. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "Gosh, he's cornering at about eighty, Sandy!" 

Roy Of The Rovers

Fifty years on, and Roy Of The Rovers feels just as up-to-date as ever as this week's strip deals with the media and Rover's portrayal in the papers. It's not "Messi Magic" that dominates the headlines, but rather "Melchester Magic" as the Rovers prepare for their F.A. Cup semifinal against Bridgewall. Ben Galloway calls for a policy of no interviews or photographers in the build-up to the match, as Melchester focus on how they are going to crack Bridgewall's famous defensive wall. With a series of dummies on the field, Roy has the team train for deflections, but unknown to him or the team, a photographer is secretly photographing the training and captures an image of  Noel Baxter rugby tackling one of the dummies. With this image appearing on the sports pages, the Bridgewall fans and club are incensed with these apparent rough-house tactics, and Melchester Rovers receive a hostile welcome when they arrive for the game. Bridgewall lets them know that they will fight fire with fire if it comes to a physical game, and we end with Roy worried about a potentially explosive game thread of them. Roy may worry about it, but I can't wait to see what will happen next. True, it is the beautiful game, but a bit of needle in the game always adds to the stakes. This issue sets the scene for next week, and even though not a lot happened, it well and truly set us up for the next issue. I'm rating it higher than it deserves, purely on the fact that it places the story in a great position for the next week where this will all pay off. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "We're off...in an atmosphere like an unexploded bomb! And it only needs one hot-headed idiot to ignite the fuse!"  

A Horse Called Ugly 

Sancho was about to be shot out of hand for previously being a bandit when Joe burst onto the scene last week. This week that drama unfolds quickly as Ugly enters the fray, destroying a part of the jail and rendering the General incapable of delivering the final order to shoot. With Don Pedro arriving, things are quickly resolved. Sancho is pardoned, but only on the condition that he joins the army with his former bandit colleagues. Of course, he willingly agrees and this whole South American adventure is wrapped up n the bottom of page two. Don Pedro confesses that he wanted Ugly for himself, but he has seen that Joe and Ugly can never be parted. He then hands Joe a telegram from Anglea, requesting that he comes home urgently for a job with him and Ugly. A new adventure awaits us, but it is with some sadness that we depart South America. I have greatly enjoyed Joe's and Ugly's time here, despite my initial reservations, and I only hope that the story doesn't become dreary on their return to Blighty. This finish was rushed, but not as quickly as some other stores as they finished, and it did feel natural. I was pleased to see that we had a happy ending for everyone, and once again the art was superb. If the next adventure is even half as good as these months in South America, then I shall be very happy indeed. 

Rating: 8/10

Best Line: "Hey Joe! Are you waging a private war with the army?"

Football Family Robinson

It appears that a different artist has drawn this week's Football Family Robinson. It is not quite as intricate and detailed, and appears a lot cleaner on the page The story though continues apace as Crash comes off the pitch asking after Digger. In the office, Digger waits for his chance to confront Digger, but this never eventuates as Grandpa defuses the situation by knocking Digger to the ground with a pump! Back on the field and the family are 2-1 up when it begins to drizzle. This drizzle makes the pitch slippery and difficult to play on and with five minutes left to play Grizzly slips while making a tackle and gives away a penalty. We end with the crowd chanting for Crash to save the penalty, while Digger is locked in the office cursing him and threatening to smash his way out. This story is beginning to become a little drawn out, but it still carries momentum. The anger of Digger is palpable on the page, and every panel he is in catches the eye. I was a little thrown this week by the change in the artwork (Viv wasn't quite as vivacious as I remember) but overall the story didn't suffer and we are still accelerating to a smashing conclusion. I don't know how many issues until that conclusion, but it feels like we getting close now.

Rating: 7.5/10

Best Line:  "What's happenin' out there? You gotta let me out, before I do my flamin' Aussie nut!" 

The Tigers 

This week's issue ends on a low with The Tigers. There is nothing new in this week's strip and I am overwhelmed by the feeling that I have seen all of this before. Taking his land yacht into the park, Chunky is pursued by Ron Burton. Chunky accidentally hooks himself to Burton's yacht, and while Chunky ends up crashing through a fence and out of the park, it is Ron that is stuck in a flower bed and facing the wrath of the park keeper. Chunky is also in trouble, out of the park he can't stop and is facing a wreck himself. The humour isn't as funny as in previous issues, and the land yacht action is very close to the soapbox derby we saw just a few issues ago. I want to like this more than I do, but there is very little that appeals to me this week, and I can only hope next week is closer to what I enjoy. 

Rating: 4/10

Best Line: "My flower-beds! I'll prosecute him!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6/10

Best Story: A Horse Called Ugly

Best Line: "Don't be daft! The piper's supposed to be on the castle wall...and not having a cuppa in a cafe!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: 

Tiger 30th March 1974

I missed last week's blog. The Football World Cup got in my way and despite my best intentions I never quite found the time to update the blog. With only one game left I am reprioritising and once again ready to indulge my love of comics. And what better way to celebrate the World Cup than reading the best sports comic in the world -Tiger!

Tiger

30th March 1974

Skid Solo

We continue with Skid's adventures in Australia, and this week he is involved in a series of races leading up to the beginning of the Grand Prix season. We begin with a race in Melbourne where disaster strikes as Skid is caught in an accident while driving his new car. Speaking with the designer, Jacko, after the race, Skid reports that the car needs rebuilding after everything had been damaged except for the engine, While Jacko sets about rebuilding it, Skid enters his next race driving his car from the previous season. Exceeding all expectations, Skid and Sparrow smash all track records before finishing in a dead heat. This leaves a conundrum for Skid, should he risk driving Jacko's new car in the forthcoming season, or should he stick with his Tiger car. As he himself says to Sparrow, he has to make the right decision, otherwise, he's handing the championship to Sparrow on a plate. 
The track racing in this story looked great, and once again we have the return of my favourite race commentator. I like the way all of this is building to the new season, and there are already dramas bubbling away in preseason racing. Always dependable, Skid Solo delivers another solid issue again. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "Can't control it! No chance!"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton 

Johnny was well in control of his match with the Monster when we last left him. With the Monster being put into an aeroplane spin, Johhny tosses him easily into the crowd, where he faces some banter from the watching public. Back on his feet, the Monster and Johnny continue their battle outside the ring, before Johnny throws him back into the squared circle whereupon he delivers his knockout blow with a piledriver. The Monster despatched with, Johnny draws The K.O. Kid for the next round of the tournament, a man that has won forty-two bouts all by knockout. But that lies all ahead of us as this week finishes with the K.O. Kid telling Johnny what he plans to do with him in the upcoming fight. I am pleased to see the back of the Monster, I never warmed to him or his battle with Johnny, but I am deflated by the ease with which Johnny finally beat him. He promised to be much harder than he actually was in the final shakedown of things. However, I leave this story with an upbeat feeling about the next bout against the K.O. Kid, he has a fantastic villain's moustache and as you know I'm always a sucker for that. This week was flat, but next week looks promising so I can safely say I'll be back for more. 

Rating: 5/10

Best Line:  "A Monster does not give in so easily. Be silent, weakling!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini 

Never pick up hitchhikers. That's the lesson I learnt from the first few panels of this story as Martin and Tiny stop to pick up a pretty girl, only from a gang of her friends to emerge from hiding to also get a ride. It's not as bad as I first fear, and although they are crammed into poor George and sitting on the roof, they do help our pals. First, they haul George up to a bridge and onto a faster main road. Then later in the story once they have parted company, they meet again, this time the hitchhikers stopping a lorry to help Martin and Tiny who have unbelievably run out of petrol again. This isn't the first time in this rally that they're run out of fuel, and I'm beginning to wonder if George actually has a faulty petrol gauge. However, that is never there nor there as they continue the rally, now towed by the lorry, only to face one final jeopardy in the last panel as the tailboard of the lorry begins to be pulled off by their tow rope and they face a pile of junk potentially coming through their windshield. A lot of fun throughout this story, the hitchhikers added a lot of life and colour to the panels. Martin and Tiny are far more tolerant than I am, and I certainly couldn't imagine myself putting up with hitchhikers sitting on the roof of my car. Even though they have run out of petrol before, I still smiled to see them do it again, I guess some guys just never learn. It's hard not to love this story in every guise, and once again I find the world of Martin's Marvellous Mini to be warm and inviting, high praise for the most warmhearted story in the comic. 

The Tigers

Chunky was last seen caught on a dingy trailer that had broken loose in the wind. With a large dose of his considerable luck, Chucky avoids disaster, and with the owner happy to see his boat unharmed, suggests a sand-yacht race, with sand-yacht up for grabs as a prize. While the Tigers build theirs out of found rubbish, Ron Burton builds a very streamlined-looking yacht, painted red of course as everyone knows red is faster. We aren't ready to race just yet, as the Tigers prepare, Burton's two pals watch on secretly planning sabotage. There wasn't a lot of action this week, but I found myself enjoying it more than previously. The slower pace appeals to me, I find I can only handle one action scene a week from the Tigers, and can only accept one piece of luck from Chunky. However, that's just me. The story is just getting started, and I have no doubt that there will be plenty of scrapes in future issues, but for now, this is setting the scene and I am inexplicably drawn in despite myself. 

Rating: 5.5/10

Best Line: "It's not that I don't like him - I just can't stand him! I've just got to beat him!" 

Football Family Robinson 

The saga of Crash and Digger continues, but the on-field action remains firmly in focus as Crash demonstrates that he's still a great keeper - pulling off a series of saves throughout the issue. Meanwhile, Digger is still being held by the police, and fuming at the thought that Crash had reported him for stealing the car. The story comes to a head at halftime as Crash comes off the field wondering what happened to Digger, while under the watchful eye of the police Digger waits for him in the office, threatening to break him into little pieces. It's great to see Digger riled up, and any thoughts of the easy-going Aussie we met in earlier issues are put to one side as his stormy face dominates the panels. The artwork feels cleaner in this issue, although that may be because of the printing rather than the artwork, and the expressions on the character's faces add a lot to the story. This isn't my favourite storyline for the football family, but it does enough to hold my interest, and paired with some fine on-field action I'm happy enough with where we are for the moment.

Rating: 6.5/10

Best Line: "I'm gonna break Crash into little pieces..." 

A Horse Called Ugly

Things had taken a turn last week, and with Joe caught in the stirrup, Carlos stepped upon to be the hero of the piece. This week we see that play out as Carlos lassos Joe's horse and allows him to escape to safety. Hands are shaken, bread is broken and all is right in the world for precisely two panels before it's reported that Joe's friend Sancho has been arrested. With Sancho about to be executed for being a bandit, Joe rides hurriedly to the jailhouse where he bursts in and confronts the General about to shoot Sancho. This final panel is the best panel in the whole story and contains a fantastic amount of detail, both about the people involved, and the scene itself. The rest of the story was solid, but this final panel is a cut above the rest and guarantees that I'll rate this highly and be back for more. A Horse Called Ugly continues to evolve and excite and once again is one of the better stories in the comic. 

Rating: 8/10

Best Line: "He went off to get some hotdogs, ages ago"

Roy Of The Rovers

"Now, reduced by injury to 10 men, the Rovers were fighting like wildcats to hang on to a slender, 1-0 lead" 
And so the scene is set for the final minutes of a gripping game against Crampton. With full-time in sight, the Rovers concede a corner. Charlie Carter is at his best as he punches the ball clear, but a Crampton forward volleys it back, only for Roy to head it off the line. This is Roy's final act as he passes out, leaving a young defender to boot the ball clear. With that kick, the game is over and the Rovers have made it to the semifinal of the F.A. Cup. There is further good news as more players recover from the flu, and we see the team enjoying some relaxing times a few days later before the draw is made for the semifinal. It's here that the story wraps up as it's announced that Melchester Rovers will face league leaders Bridgewall in the semifinals. This is a story of two halves as we first see the game against Crampton, before the second half is devoted entirely to recovery, relaxation, and setting the scene for the next issue. None of it feels very taxing and the story slides rather easily by without making a great impression on me. Last week's issue was a cracker, but this week that is a distant memory as the story stays safe and resets itself. A chance for us to all recover, this is a placeholder before the next drama unfolds. 

Rating: 5/10

Best Line: "Roy's gone down! He...he must have knocked himself out!"

Tallon Of The Track

Tallon Of The Track is on the track this week, and I'm happy to see it. With the season beginning for the Ospreys, the crowd is behind them as they prepare for the first race. We are introduced to their mechanic, Oggie, a veteran with more than twenty years of mechanical experience up his sleeve. However, some on the team think he is past it, and Jimmy Benson in particular makes his feelings known. Defusing the conflict, Jo turns everyone's thoughts back to the track, and soon enough the first race commences with Dave Trent taking an early lead. It doesn't last, his front wheel begins to wobble, and Dave takes a nasty fall on the track. In the pits an inquiry starts, and Jimmy Benson points out the fault, a duff connection in the front suspension. All eyes turn to Oggie, who maintains that he checked the suspension only yesterday. There have been a lot of life-and-death situations in Tallon of the Track over recent months, and it is nice to see a more homespun tale appear this week. This a reminder that this is about a group of motorbike racers, and the story looks at its best when the bikes are roaring around the track. A mechanic doing a poor job may not feel high stakes, but I am sold on it and I look forward to seeing more of the story unfold both on and off the track in the coming weeks.   

Rating: 8/10

Best Line: "I've forgotten more than you'll ever know, Jimmy and for two pins, I'd-"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6/10

Best Story: A Horse Called Ugly 

Best Line:  "I wouldn't trust you with a clockwork train, mate, let alone a racing engine! You're so old you can't tune a carburettor for the sound of your bones cracking!"

Best Panel:

Roys Sports Quiz:

Tiger 23rd March 1974

Another week has gone by so fast, and suddenly Christmas which has loomed on the horizon for so long is now just around the corner. If I was better organized I would be reading Christmas issues of Tiger, but here I am reading my way through late March of 1974. So be it, perhaps one day I'll catch up to the same month, or more likely fall behind, so I'll be in sync. Until then, I'm happy just to plod along with the comics as they are, as always with a cup of tea close to hand and a cheeky couple of chocolate biscuits. 

Tiger

23rd March 1974

Roy Of The Rovers

I love this week's issue of Roy Of The Rovers. With Melchester Rovers taking on Crampton in the sixth round of the F.A. cup with a depleted team, the action is entirely on the football field. I have always felt that football is the greatest strength of this comic, and so it proves this week as Roy leads his team through the tough match. With only five first-team starters in the team, we see Roy rally his team of youth players by encouraging them and building their confidence panel by panel. Early on the youngest, Eric Motson, proves his worth, beating a player before sending his shot over the bar. Over the page and Roy manages to clear the ball to Eric from a corner and Eric loses his maker and breaks downfield where he inevitably scores a goal. It sounds easy, but his shot does take a deflection from a defender before hitting the post and rolling across the line. There is still more drama to be wrung from the story, with ten minutes left to play Rovers are down to ten men. The flu has struck again and as Jumbo comes off injured, Tony Storme informs Roy that they have no reserves to send on in his place. With it still all to play for, next week should be another excellent episode. This week played to the strengths of the comic and as a Roy Of The Rovers fan it doesn't get better than this, Realistic action on the field, no side distractions or shenanigans, just pure football drama. Stories like this are one of the reasons I first started reading Tiger, and this week is everything I love about Tiger.  

Rating: 9/10

Best Line: "Good grief, the lad's managed to get past! He's clear...!"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

First pinfall to the Monster and things don't look good for Johnny Cougar. The power of the Monster dominates the first half of this week's story, but things change rapidly later in the story. After managing to knock the Monster over, Johnny watches on as the referees counting him out are taken out of the action by an angry Monster. From here on in it is no rules and anything goes. This makes for some great in-ring action, and Johnny proves that he can rough it up with the best of them. Johnny hits the Monster with a full-blooded drop kick, leaving a dazed Monster whimpering that he wants to go back to his cage, but Johnny hasn't finished with his yet and hoists him up for an aeroplane spin. I enjoy the action greatly, but the swing back towards Johnny in the match feels too sudden and is jarring. There is no sense that he's struggled his way back into the match, he just outfights the Monster in a couple of panels, and then we have the Monster capitulating and asking to go back to his cage. I'm not an expert, but I would have liked to see another page of wrestling before we got to that point. That aside, the story is still a lot of fun, and I do turn the page on it feeling good about all I have seen and read.

Rating: 7.5/10

Best Line:  "So be it! If there are no rules, Cougar not stick to the rules..."

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin and Tiny were taking a shortcut through the mountains, and potentially facing a waterfall when we left them last. And so it plays out, the mountain road narrows until they eventually face a waterfall cascading across the road. With no option, they plough through and find themselves clear of the mountains with a clear downhill run. With this behind them they find themselves arriving at the checkpoint dead last. As is par for the course, they fall asleep with money worries on their minds, and a desperate need to perform well the next day. They start the stage well, overtaking another vehicle, but the strip doesn't end well as pull over for a pretty hitchhiker, who unbeknownst to them has a group of friends hiding in the bushes. Many a man has come unstuck due to a pretty face, and it seems our heroes have feet of clay when it comes to lovely ladies. An enjoyable story, but it lacks any real high-stakes drama. The waterfall promised to be quite an obstacle, but it once it eventuated it was easily dealt with. I am surprised to see this new twist, I was expecting it to be about motorcars from here on in, but I too like seeing a pretty girl on the page, so I can understand Tiny and Martin's decision to stop. This rally has been going on for several months now, but I'm not the least bit tired by it and this new twist has once again kept me guessing what might come next.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "She said, please! It would be ungentlemanly not to stop!"

The Tigers

The story is reset this week, and we have a new beginning as Chunky and his friends take a training run by the sea. After the kinetic action of the last couple of weeks, this is a far more sedate story, on the first page at least, before Chunky's luck takes a hand the story begins properly on the second page. With Ron Burton and his gang giving chase, Chunky stumbles upon a yacht on a trailer, and after several panels of high-jinks finds himself at sea while the disgruntled owner of the yacht watches on. One can already see where this story is going to go, and I think things are shaping up well. The slapstick comedy is firmly in place, but it is well-paced in this case, and the story flows nicely from the first panel to the last. Chunky's luck delivers him from trouble, but it can also get him into a lot of scrapes, as we see here. A soft start, it won't be until next week that I really know how I feel about this story. 

Rating: 5.5/10

Best line: "Whoops, I'm away! 'Sea' you later fellers!!"

Football Family Robinson 

Things are escalating for the Football Family Robinson after last week's uneven episode. This week is more focused and tighter throughout with our attention firmly on Digger and Crash. With Digger being pulled over by the police in a case of mistaken theft, it's up to Crash to take his place for the game. With the family unaware of the cause of Digger's absence, they are naturally worried and this translates to their on-field performance. Crash is especially affected and lets in an early goal, much to the chagrin of the fans who want Digger back. After serval loose weeks this is much better reading, I am happy with the way the story is progressing. Even though the story is moving quickly forward, there is very little of the wider family, and Digger and Crash remain the figures at the forefront this week. My girl Viv gets a single line, but I am unfazed as the rest of the story has me quickly reading through the panels. Sometimes less is more, and that is certainly the case this week as we zoom in on the essentials of the story. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "What's the trouble, sport? I wasn't breaking the speeding limit."

Tallon Of The Track

Things are fast and furious in this week's Tallon Of The Track. With Jo and an unconscious Dan Rowley in the path of the Exbury to London express train, this could be a short issue. Luckily Jo has seen plenty of movies and knows just what to do. Dragging the still unconscious Dan to the centre of the train track, she lays flat, letting the train pass over the top of them. It does feel unbelievable, but I believe it for the sake of the comic and my own enjoyment. From here on we accelerate to a conclusion, with Jo taking a speedway bike and pursuing Pete Rowley and sending him crashing off the road. With police on the scene, it is case closed and we can look forward to the beginning of the speedway season next week and beginning from a clean slate. Like so many of these stories, it wraps up too quickly for my liking, but then again I also hate it when stories are dragged out, so I guess there's just no pleasing some people. The art looks fantastic for the train scene and car chase, and I know we will get plenty more in the same vein next week as we take to the track, so there is still plenty more to look forward to, even if it's not quite as life and death as these last couple of issues have been. A strong ending to a good story, I feel well-nourished by the strip and ready for whatever may come next.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Good, he's driving with his window open! Stand by for the shock of your life, Pete Rowley!"

Skid Solo

For those that go to motor racing to see the crashes, this is the Skid Solo issue for you. Skid isn't the only one to have a new high-powered car, a face from the past, Dutch Evans, is also on the track with his own newly designed car. Skid and Dutch have a history, many years ago Dutch pulled Skid from a flaming wreck and they ended up in a hospital together recovering. From the start of the race, it's clear that Dutch's new car is a cut above the rest when it comes to raw power, but the car itself is badly designed, and Dutch himself ends up in a fiery wreck. With no thoughts of his own safety, Skid rushes in and returns the favour from all those years ago as he pulls Dutch to safety.  Once again they are side by side in the hospital again. With Dutch telling Skid that he's still racing because he needs the money, Skid assures him that everything will be alright as there is a fund set up to support him. In the final panel, it is revealed by Sandy that there is no fund, but that Skid will see to it that the car's designer pays for the accident. An interesting story, this was never about the race on the track, but rather the history between Skid and Dutch and the crash. We never find out the outcome of the race, or even how Skid is doing in the race, we only see the accident and the fallout from it. It's great to see Skid back on the track, and some fine race car action, but I was unsatisfied with the conclusion. The outcome is right, but it's too easy and dismissed in a single panel. On the positive side, the track racing looked great, and I did enjoy seeing some sense of history from Skid. The backstory added a lot to the strip, and once again helped round out the characters. Overall it was very good, but still not quite back to its best.  

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "You don't have to worry about that, Dutch...Mason Buckhurst is opening a fund for you! You'll be looked after! Heck, he could have killed you! That car is a menace!"

A Horse Called Ugly

There is a great turn in A Horse Called Ugly, and after tiring of this storyline between Joe and Carlos, I am reinvigorated by this instalment. With the dodge-me-loop competition about to start, Joe is at a great disadvantage havening never used a lariat before. He has little time to prepare, and Carlos toys with him for the first round. However, just when it looks like Joe will surely lose, he receives a warning shout and manages to duck out of the way of Carlos's loop - only for his foot to get caught in the stirrup. Caught on the side of his horse, Joe is in serious danger, but Carlos realised what has happened, and abandoning his own horse, jumps on the back of Ugly and sets to saving Joe. I love a good surprise, and seeing Carlos change midway through the competition and try to save Joe fills me with warmth. The art of the horses isn't as impressive as previously, but once again the looks on the faces of everyone involved are sublime. Last week I had said I was hoping that this story would wrap up soon, but here I am eating my words and already my thoughts are drifting to next week's issue, 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "If anything happens to Joe it will be my fault...I've got to do something!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 8/10

Best Story: Roy Of The Rovers 

Best Line:  "A monster triumph for the Monster!"

Best Panel:

Roys Sports Quiz: