On May 4th of 1974, Liverpool defeated Newcastle 3-0 to win the F.A. Cup. Meanwhile, in the pages of Tiger, Roy and his beloved Melchester Rovers play out their own FA Cup. Will they too be 3-0 winners? Let's turn the page and find out!
Tiger
4th May 1974
Roy Of The Rovers
A fantastic cover introduces us to the final as Roy leads his team onto the hallowed turf of Wembley. The first page feels like we are at the game, the crowd cheers when the team owners take their seats, and the respective teams are introduced. This part of the story is immersive and it's hard not to be cast back into the past and the feeling of these big games. The bonus money of 5000 pounds on offer is still at the forefront of everyone's mind, and we learn that people are calling this '"the golden final" - we are a long way from the modern game and the billions of petro-dollars sloshing around the Premier League. The game-day nerves are still the same, however, and despite the extra incentive, the Burndean players face an early strike from Roy as he tests their keeper. He makes the save, but the scene is set for the rest of the strip as we face end-to-end action from here on in. Melchester Rovers are the aggressor, but their constant flooding forward in search of a goal leaves them exposed to the counter-attack, and after offering a couple of chances the inevitable happens and they concede a goal. A frustrated Roy, hands on hips and glaring at the goal, is our final image this week, and it's still all ahead of us for next week.
Like so many of these stories, the story feels like three parts, a page of induction, a page of action, and the final half page throwing us into the setup for next week. I enjoyed all three parts this week, especially when the story pulls back and Wembley and the crowd become part of the storyline. Despite the money being key to the plot, the story remains firmly in the realm of football and what is happening on the pitch, and as I have said before, this is where Roy of the Rovers excels. Another great addition to the comic, and the opening cover is spectacular.
Rating: 8/10
Best line: "I've never seen them so hungry for goals, Tony! I hope this money talk hasn't made them reckless!"
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The wrestling action continues throughout Johnny Cougar this week as his battle with the Trickster continues. It follows the same form as last week, with the Trickster pulling several tricks while Johnny does his best to fight on. After a slippery beginning, in which Trickster places some grease on Johnny's boots, Johhny removes his boots and the fight becomes far more serious. Johnny holds the upper hand, and even though he himself has already faced a couple of eight counts, he gets Trickster with a nerve hold, before the bout pauses as Johnny notices the ring robes are broken. A non-believing Trickster jeers at him, thinking that Johnny is playing him at his own game, only to tumble out of the ring as he leans back on the robes. What happens next is in the hands of the writer and artist, as this is where the story for us ends this week.
Like the Roy Of The Rovers story before it, Johnny Cougar is at his best when competing, and the story always shines when he is in the ring. Trickster exhausted me before this fight even began, but each week I warm to him a little more, and this week I found myself greatly enjoying the back-and-forth between him and Johnny. Please, if we could have more of this next week, I would be a happy man indeed.
Rating 8/10
Best line: "Haw, haw, haw! Very clever, redskin...but I don't fall for tricks like that!"
Martin's Marvellous Mini
The rally is back on, and in the first panels, we see Tiny and Martin hurriedly driving George to the start line, with the briefest of detours past a Firestation where George is quickly hosed off, cleaned up and ready to go. We are introduced again to their competitors, with the Carlton factory cars our race leaders as the stage begins. They are as fast as they look, but the boys are surprised to find themselves crossing the finish line first. It seems the Carlton cars had been stopped for exceeding the speed limit, leaving the way clear for George to take the lead. Things are looking up, and it gets even better as they are offered free accommodation at a luxury hotel, with colour TV no less, and new outfits. It seems everyone wants to be associated with the rally leaders.
I have read countless issues where Martin and Tiny find themselves scrambling for cheap accommodation after a hard day driving, so this is a twist and something we have not seen before. I'm just as surprised as they are! Although, I did feel old when one of the main attractions of the hotel was a colour TV. We have certainly come a long way since 1974. Things look too good to be true for Tiny and Martin at this moment, and next week things can only go downhill for them. Hopefully, they will get a good night's sleep in their luxury accommodation before whatever dramas befall them next week. I enjoyed seeing them reap the rewards for a good day driving, but I know it won't last and next week's drama will probably see normal service resume.
Rating: 7.5/10
Best line: "A free hotel...free clothes...appearance on the telly! We...we've hit it big, Martin!"
The Tigers
Oh yes, the pogo story that started last week. We have the usual story, Chunky Clarke is riding his luck on the pogo stick and when Ron Burton interferes it is Ron that ends up taking the blame for causing property damage. The second part of the story sees Ron concocting a scheme to get even. He challenges Chunky to a Pogo race along the canal at night, while his two accomplices report to the police that there is a leaping figure along the canal scaring people.
One can see where we are going from here. Although I find the stories simplistic, and frankly a little silly at times, The Tigers remains somewhat of a guilty pleasure. I couldn't honestly say that I liked this week's strip, but I do enjoy seeing the artwork, especially the facial expressions. Even if it's not my cup of tea, it is a thing well made, and it delivers on what it promises each week. This week is fairly typical for The Tigers, and I'm going to give it an average rating, even though the work that has gone into it definitely deserves more.
Rating: 6/10
Best line: "It wasn't me! It was a fat creep - on a stick!"
Skid Solo
The Grand Prix season is put aside for this week's Skid Solo story. Skid is fishing with his neighbour, Sir George Catom, and they return to Sir George's house to find it has been burgled. Speaking to the police, Skid is told to take care as burglars often strike several times in the same area. With the help of Sandy, Skid does his best to make his house safe from burglars but returning from race practice the next day they find that they too have been struck by the crooks. Sandy is nonplussed and pulling out some radio equipment he commands Skid to drive the car. Directing Skid, they travel at high speed until Sandy points at an ambulance and shouts at Skid "Stop that vehicle!" Ramming the ambulance off the road, they find it full of stolen goods and the police make the necessary arrests. There is nothing left to do but for Sandy to explain how he was able to follow the villains. He shows Skid and Sparrow the bug he planted, and how he followed its transmission with his radio gear. Skid wonders how Sandy could be sure the burglars would steal the bug, and Sandy reveals he planted it in the one thing he knew they couldn't resist - a wad of cold hard cash.
An enjoyable story, Sandy once again saves the day with his technical know-how. Every character plays to his strengths, and the story moved at a fast pace throughout. Normally I prefer to see Skid on track and racing, but as far as these off-track stories go, this is a good one. With plenty of memorable lines, some great-looking car action, and brains beating brawn, this was right up my alley. Not quite Skid at his best, but close enough for me.
Rating: 8/10
Best line: "You crafty Scotsman!"
Tallon Of The Track
Jo Tallon has a plan to flush out the saboteur that has blighted the pages of Tallon Of The Track over the last few weeks. She lays a trap as the Ospreys travel to Appleford for their next race meeting. While the team stay in at the hotel, Jo, Dave and Oggie hide in the workshop where the bikes are stored. It is a cold and miserable vigil, but they are rewarded when in the early hours of the morning a masked figure breaks in through a window. Despite Dave revealing their position too soon and affording the crook a chance to escape, Jo manages to make amends by dropping the figure with a well-thrown spanner. With the body yet to be identified we finish the story with Jo and Dave about to pull the mask off the potential saboteur.
Tallon Of The Track excels at these types of stories, and over the last six months, we have seen many mysterious figures fall at the hands of Jo Tallon. This sabotage story is proving to be just as good as anything that has come before, although it feels as if it's moving much faster than those previous stories. Already it looks like the story is coming to an end, and I would not be surprised to see the story wrapped up next week with the unmasking of the saboteur. One thing that this story does particularly well is the balance between the characters, and this week Jo, Dave and Oggie share the panels and the load of the story. Jo's may be the marquee name, but the story belongs equally to all three characters as each has their moments throughout. Well-paced and well-balanced, my love affair with this story continues.
Rating: 8/10
Best line: "No, Dave, wait! Not yet...you've acted too soon!"
Football Family Robinson
The ongoing animosity between Crash and Digger is cancerous and spreads throughout the team in this week's instalment of Football Family Robinson. As Crash and Digger's confrontation escalates they give away a goal, leading to further splits within the team as fingers are duly pointed. Some girls are pretty when they are angry, but not so Viv Robinson, and her face sums up the displeasure felt by much of the team. As chances are missed by the family in front of the goal, matters become heated again and by the time the team goes in for half time a full-blown civil war is on the cards. Bickering and arguing dominate the dressing room, before, in the final panel, Ma Robinson slams her umbrella down and seizes control of the situation. Her plan for the second half remains in the future for us the reader, but it is a good hook to bring me back next week.
By now, the clash between Digger and Crash has been exhausted, so it was a timely move to widen the conflict and drag the rest of the family in. If I had to face another week of watching Digger and Crash alone arguing I may have been tempted to skim this story. It's always good to see the strong motherly figure of Ma take control, and it was the perfect way to end this week's issue, bring the family under control and as well as giving us a reason to come back next week.
Rating: 6/10
Best line: "What a way to end the season. The family's in a state of civil war!"
A Horse Called Ugly
Some fantastic panels in the week's strip, and even if I'm not totally convinced by the storyline, the artwork certainly has my attention. We begin where we left off, with Clive Mannering in his room with thoughts of revenge swirling around his mind. Although it's the middle of the night, he takes to his car, driving to Lord Humphrey's estate with a devious scheme to be revealed. It is not a warm reception he receives, and initially, he is seen off by a shotgun blast from the gatekeeper. However, he is not easily dissuaded and heading to the back entry he gains entry to the manor house. Although Lord Humphrey is reluctant to speak with him, Clive manages to catch his ear with a scheme, and the next day, while he is out riding Ugly, Joe meets up with the pair, now seemingly friends again. Lord Humphrey offers Joe a chance to live like a lord, and as Joe appears interested Clive smiles at the trap he has set.
I shall have to wait a whole seven days to find out what the trap is, and those seven days can't pass fast enough. I was lukewarm on this story, but this week's issue has piqued my interest, and with some great-looking panels, and new story hooks, my enthusiasm is rekindled. A Horse Called Ugly has been an uneven read over the last month, but this story is picking up speed now, and I am more than happy to see it.
Rating: 8/10
Best line: "If you are supposed to be Gentlemen, I'm glad I ain't one!"
Issue final ratings:
Overall: 8/10
Best Story: Tallon Of The Track
Best Line: "Dinna ask questions, young mon...just do as I tell ye! An' I'm telling ye to get in that car, fast!"
Best Panel:
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