Tiger 27th April 1974

I feel so guilty. I should be outside playing sports, not inside reading comics about them. True, it is a beautiful day outside, but why take the risk of skin cancer, or sunstroke, when I can sit here in the shade, staying hydrated with a cold beer in hand. No doubt I will regret this decision once winter rolls around, and I'm trapped inside looking at the cold weather, but for now, I'm happy with my decision and looking forward to seeing what this week's comic holds in store. 

Tiger
27th April 1974

Johnny Cougar and Splash Gorton

Finally, Johnny Cougar is in the ring with the Trickster, and to be honest it is much better than I expected. Sure the Trickster is living up to his name with a variety of tricks coming thick and fast, but there is also some dynamic wrestling action on the page making for a well-balanced and fast-moving strip. With the  Trickster coming out of his corner wearing a mask, Johnny is caught off guard and the first moments of the bout belong to Trickster. Johnny regains his composure but the Trickster manages to fool him a couple more times before we end with the Trickster catching Johnny with a forearm. There are many things I liked about this week's strip, the action looked good, the Trickster played his tricks and got the results he seeking in the ring, and Johnny looked strong, yet vulnerable against his opponent. I had previously written off this storyline, but once again it has snared me with its wrestling action and Johnny Cougar deserved to appear on the cover this week with a story that is much better than the previous weeks. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Cougar get up...not so easily fooled again!" 

Roy Of The Rovers

The F.A. Cup is just days away and Melchester Rovers are training hard. With the thought of the five thousand pound bonus offered to the Burndean players for winning the cup playing on everyone's mind, the players are distracted by the appearance of Melchester's newest director, Ted Manning. Ted has money and isn't afraid to throw it about, declaring that he will offer the Melchester players the same bonus if they can win the cup. The intensity of training picks up immediately and there is a new enthusiasm among the team. Leaving the training, Roy goes to a local youth club where he has donated some money for a football court. The next project is doing up the gym, and Roy complains to Penny that it's not fair that Ted Manning is chucking money around while the kids can't even afford a gym. One can already see the storylines converging here, but there is one final twist as the next day's newspaper carries the headline that Burndean's players are now offered an extra thousand pounds for every goal they score. One can see the larger story developing here, and with plenty of money on offer, the next few weeks will decide where it is distributed. There is no doubt in my mind that it will end up at the youth club, but how we get to that point remains to be seen. This week is one of those weeks that sets up for what comes next and contains no real action or drama within itself. It's an enjoyable read, but we all know that next week is the issue where it all happens, and as such, this week's story is still in low gear just waiting for what comes next.

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "You'd better make sure you win the cup, Roy!  Then you can donate your five thousand to the club...!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini.

Martin's Marvellous Mini was my favourite story in last week's issue, and I have been wondering all week how they would get George around the loop the loop.  I needn't have worried too much, George handles it just fine, and they continue apace around the obstacle course. It's not all smooth running, the hill climb at first proves challenging, and they are briefly overtaken, but the balanced is restored on their second attempt and after a successful run through the skid-pan, they manage to just edge their rivals at the finish line. With their prize money in hand, they are able to pay for the damage previously wrought on another car, before we are hurled back into the rally action with the news that they only have thirty minutes to get to the start of the next stage. With George looking a mess, and both Martin and Tiny tired from the hectic race they've just taken part in, the scene is set for next week's issue. This brief diversion at the highland games and through the obstacle course has proved to be a lot of fun, and a pleasant distraction for the longer-running rally storyline. I'm pleased to be back on track through, and I certainly look forward to the start of the rally again next week. This issue has some great-looking art, the colour made the drive around the loop look spectacular, and the story wrapped up in grand style. As always, there is a lightness and sense of fun throughout these panels, and once again I am more than satisfied by what Martin's Marvellous Mini has delivered. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Stone the crows, now we are on a skid-pan!" 

A Horse Called Ugly

The first panel of this week's strip is identical to the one we left with last week, Ugly and Joe leaping over a jump and challenging Lord Humphrey to a race. Ugly is at his best here, and as they race across the first page of the story, Joe and his horse are well in control and win easily. Lord Humphrey is livid and fires his groom immediately, before telling Clive Mannering that he has embarrassed him and their friendship is over. It is an unhappy ride home but Joe offers the now redundant groom a chance to look after Ugly, while Clive Mannering glowers and plots revenge against Joe for ruining his friendship with Lord Humphrey. While Joe and Tom enjoy baked beans for dinner and are joined by Angela, who is happy to see Lord Humpry get his comeuppance, the strip ends with Clive Mannering at his window smiling at his new plan to get revenge on all that have done him wrong. This story was at its best for the horse action and as important as the second half was to the overall storyline, it didn't look as appealing on the page. However, the right pieces have now been manoeuvred into place for the next part of the story, and I know that will involve a lot more thrilling action with Ugly in full flight. Overall, this was a solid issue in a story that is finding its feet after a long South America sojourn and is an improvement in the preceding weeks. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Joe, I've just heard how you made a fool of that conceited idiot, Lord Humphrey. Good for you!"

Football Family Robinson

With the Crash and Digger saga now behind us, we embark on a new storyline this week in Football Family Robinson. While working in the yard, Fred is injured and Titch runs to prevent Digger from returning to Australia, they now need him to make up the numbers for the next game. Perhaps I spoke too soon when I said the saga of Crash and Digger was over because they both begin to argue about which of them will play in goal, and who will play centre-half. Once again it is the strong matriarchal presence of Ma that calms the situation, and it is resolved with a coin toss. With Crash playing centre-half and Digger in goal one would think that the story would run smoothly from here on, but things are far from resolved and Digger simmers in resentment as he sits in goal with very little to do. As the game progresses he begins to further stew, and by the final panel, we once again have him threatening to break every bone in Crash's body. I thought we have moved beyond this, and I am disappointed to be retreading the same ground with the conflict between Digger and Crash. It colours my overall impression of this week's strip, and it feels like the story is going backwards with this latest wrinkle in the conflict between the two. I could comment on the great artwork and facial expressions, but to be honest none of it makes up for my disappointment in the overall story.

Rating: 4/5

Best line: "Be quiet, the pair of you, or I'll bang your heads together. You'd better toss for it"

Tallon Of The Track

With sabotage and foul play afoot, we last saw Jo tumbling over her handlebars as her bike failed at the worst possible moment, halfway down a steep slope of coal. The finger-pointing starts immediately as Jo is carefully placed on the truck for medical attention, and once again it is Oggie in the firing line as all eyes turn accusingly towards him. However, Jo is tougher than she looks, and coming around she orders the team to continue their training. While they continue, Jo calls Oggie and Dave behind the truck and again brings up the possibility of sabotage. Dave doesn't believe her, but now she has evidence, a bolt on her bike that has been sawn through. It is here that the story ends, but I am hooked by this final piece of information and already know that this will be one of the first stories I seek out in next week's issue. The hair-raising bike riding looked great, and Jo lived up to her strong character as she emerged from the wreckage of her accident with a new clue in hand. Like so often with Tallon Of The Track, we have a fantastic whodunnit combined with racing action, making for a winning combination that keeps me coming back for more and more. Another fine entry from Tallon Of The Track and, as always, I rate it highly. 

Rating 7.5/10

Best line: "It looks bad! Come on..."

Skid Solo

It's great to see Al Ledstock appear in the first panel of Skid Solo this week. He has been a long-time competitor against Skid, and his appearance heralds the arrival of the latest instalment of their friendship and race career. He also introduces us to three young new competitors for this year's race season. They are Juan Landio (Argentina), Jean Corbonne (France) and Mike Elton (England). Al isn't too worried by their arrival on the scene, he is confident that Skid and he have the experience to beat any newcomers. This is put to the test as the first race of the season commences, and although Al Ledstock leads the way, the three young drivers are not far behind him. As the race progresses they continue to press hard, and with four laps left Ledstock's car overheats, leaving Corbonne in the lead, pursued by Skid Solo and Mike Elton. In a fast finish all four cars cross the line close together, Corbonne first, Mike Elton second, Skid Solo third, and Juan Landio fourth.  The final panels have Al and Skid discussing the performance of the young drivers, and Skid mentions that not only do they have fast cars, but also superior fitness, which gives us the final panel of Al jogging behind a trainer on a bike, in an attempt to raise his own fitness levels. I am very pleased to finally have a proper Grand Prix race back on the pages of Skid Solo, and with the arrival of three new challengers, it looks like Skid could be in for a difficult season. The story introduced three new drivers very cleverly, and once again it injects a fresh angle into a story that on paper could read the same year after year. The steadying influence of Al Ledstock helped anchor the story in the history we already know so well and gave a good mix of old and new. I'm pleased we didn't rely on an accident to add drama to the story, and this is a solid start to what could be a very interesting season.

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Three more miles, Mister Ledstock...you can do it!" 

The Tigers

Not a lot happens in The Tigers this week. We met the latest challenge (a homemade pogo stick), there's a confrontation with Ron Burton, and the story ends with Burton in trouble for damaging property and seeking revenge on Chunky. Sure, this could be the plot for any week, but it seems particularly stark this week with very little action propping up the storyline. This is typical for this strip, and often the first introduction of a new sport is often just that, an introduction, with the real action and adventure to come further down the line. The problem is, this time I don't care to see what becomes of the pogo stock and Ron Burton. There is a feeling I've seen it all before, and I can't seem to raise any enthusiasm for a sport that is fringe at best. Here's hoping we get a few laughs along the way, and the story blooms into something more entertaining than this week's strip. 

Rating: 4/10

Best line: "What did I tell you! Burton's accident-prone. He's always breaking things!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6/10

Best Story: Martin's Marvellous Mini

Best Line: "My so-called accident just now! Oggie said he checked my bike thoroughly, and I believe him! What happened was deliberate!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz