Tiger 19th October 1974

Last week we had three new stories appear in Tiger, and every other story began a new storyline. It was a lot to take in and an upheaval, but this week things settle down and we get a better feel for how things stand now that the dust has settled. All the stories are still in the early stages, but the characters are more familiar and we can already see where we are heading in several stories. It is an exciting time to be reading, anything could happen and a couple of stories are already delivering the unexpected. Here's what I found in this issue from the 19th of October 1974:

19th October 1974

Roy Of The Rovers

Once again, it is Roy and his Rovers that are the lead story of the comic. With the match against Dutch team Zeeden still in the balance, goalkeeper Tubby Morton is carried off, only to be replaced by the dynamic Charlie 'the Cat' Carter. 

Charlie lives up to his name, and for the next page he pulls off a series of outstanding saves that keeps Melchester Rovers in the game. Finally, manager Tony Storme decides it's time to go on attack and signalling to the team he pushes eight attackers forward. 

It is a decisive move and pays dividends as Roy scores the winning goal, a spectacular effort that sees him pushed over by an opponent, only to do a roll and pop back up to strike the ball home. 

With the game won, the only problem facing Rovers is which keeper will be number one. It turns out to be a non-issue, as Tubby tells Charlie that the position is all his - Tubby is off to manage the "A' team. 

It looks like there will be very little drama in the issue, but in the final panels the Rovers arrive back in England during a downpour. As the players run through the rain towards their coach, there is a screech of brakes and a skidding mini-bus heads directly at them. 

And here I was thinking we were going to get a happy ending - I should have known better. It certainly is a great hook to bring me back next week, although you know I don't need too much convincing on that front. I enjoyed the wrapping up of the two goalkeepers' storylines, we have gone from having both goalkeepers potentially out of action, to both fully fit and putting on fine displays. I'm pleased that we've gone with Charlie Carter, Tubby Carter was just a little too old school for a younger reader like myself. With the i's dotted and t's crossed, I'm already to immerse myself in the next storyline, and the last panel of this week already has me salivating. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "That's shaken 'em...I bet they didn't bank on us having two world-class goalkeepers!"

Billy's Boots

Billy Dane was calling for a pass from the senior players of the charity team he was playing for when we last saw him last week. This week the cliffhanger is resolved...he receives the pass he was calling for. From here it's his ancient boots that take over, as Billy dibbles towards the corner, drawing the defence with him, before back-heeling the ball infield for George Ward to score a simple goal. 

He is briefly a hero, but a few minutes later is caught daydreaming of scoring goals himself. From a throw-in, Billy runs down the line, again drawing defenders and allowing his team to gather momentum. Receiving a lob pass from his teammate, Billy strikes the ball first time to score a cracking goal himself. 

Surrounded by teammates, some of the other players comment on how good he is, and we end with one player promising to tell Harry Pope, the Groundwood Town scout, how good this kid is. 

I enjoyed this much more than last week, and it is beginning to shape up like the Billy's Boots stories I grew up reading. I could practically write the next issue myself about what will happen with the scout, but I should relax and enjoy what we have on the page here. Not the same intense football action as Roy Of The Rovers, but still fun to see Billy in action. The moves he does on the field are like any schoolboy, and there is a hint of authenticity about the way he plays the game. Once we get this charity game out of the way we should get back to seeing Billy in his natural environment and more of this schoolboy action. I'm looking forward to seeing Billy's world expand, and become the familiar landscape I know so well.

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "He's got a bit of nerve, yelling at George Ward like that!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

We're still in black and white I'm afraid, but already it looks clearer and better on the page than last week. They may have some cash, but Tiny and Martin are still struggling far from home and repairs on George imminent. 

Luckily a strapping Aussie offers them his shed for a few dollars a week where they can repair George while pointing them towards a cheap hotel just down the road.

Things are looking up, and soon they have George stripped back and a list of parts they need. In the house, their Aussie host sees a news bulletin telling of a Government reception about to be held for the London-Sydney rally. Martin and Tiny appear on screen as the news reader informs us that they haven't been seen since the rally, but it is hoped they will be at the reception. 

Chances seem slim, given that George is in pieces, but the Australian offers to tow them with his tractor. Donning their suits, which have been in the boot since they left London, Tiny and Martin don't feel particularly smart, but the Aussie reassures them that it will be fine, in Australia they don't pay too much attention to that. 

They make good time being towed behind the tractor, and despite a couple of security guards trying to bar their entrance, the tractor ploughs straight in. It is here that things go awry with the tow rope snapping and we end with Tiny and Martin crashing into the dining table and assembled guests.  

Tiger loves a good Australian stereotype, and here the Aussie host is played to the hilt. With a healthy disregard for authority and a no-worries attitude, their unnamed host is the hero of the story for me. He gets some great lines, and it would be easy for me to use five or six of his lines for my line of the week. Elsewhere, the artwork was looking as sharp as ever, and I simply cannot wait to see the strip return to colour. Sadly, patience is a virtue I do not have.  We had some good old-fashioned homeliness early in the story, a dramatic ride, and ended with a semi-humourous, semi-dramatic, crash. I couldn't ask for anything more, and after a weak issue last week we are back to the best of Martin's Marvellous Mini.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Hey, you tramps, get that tractor out of here...this is an official reception!"

Hot-shot Hamish 

Hamish and Princes Park are in Spain, and this week we learn the name of the team they are playing against - San Martine. San Martine is big, strong, and fast. Before we know it, they have shoved Hamish over and slammed home their first goal. 

Things don't get any better, and soon enough San Martine is on the attack again. Chipping the keeper, it looks like Princes Park is about to go two-nil down, only for a desperately diving Hamish to save the day with a goal-line clearance. He may have saved the goal, but he can't save himself and is knocked unconscious as he hits the goalpost.

Not a lot to talk about in regards to story here, but this was a highly enjoyable strip throughout. The humour wasn't overplayed, and we learnt a little more about the team and the characters, Hamish is extremely likeable, and one can see why the foreign fans are drawn to him. He is aware of himself and his teammates and conscious of the wider audience watching. We see him doing his best, and even if things don't work out, one still feels for him. The art doesn't overplay the action (although in future years it will become overly cartoony) and I am beginning to wonder if this is the best that Hot-shot Hamish ever will be. Only a page and a half, but already I can see why I loved it so much. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Ye great big fat twit! Buck yere ideas up! Ye're too slow to catch a cold!" 

Nipper

After last week's dynamic display, the papers are filled with rumours of Nipper's move to Fenchurch. Nipper himself remains in ignorance of this and rushes off to training, where he faces some angry teammates. 

Ostracised by his teammates, Nipper stands apart on the field, the team refusing to pass the ball. He can't understand why and it's not until a crowd of fans invade the pitch with pleas for Nipper to stay does he see the full picture. 

Nipper doesn't quite connect the dots though, and instead blames his manager Andy Stewart. Thinking that Andy wants to get rid of him, Nipper storms into his office for an angry confrontation. Andy defuses the situation, explaining that rumours and newspaper gossip are all part of the game. Pacified, Nipper remains a Blackport player and is carried back to training by his fans. 

A slight story, but a fine introduction to the characters and the world Nipper inhabits. Next week we should see a longer-running storyline emerge, and we will hopefully see a longer story arc emerge. I like what we have seen of Nipper so far, and I find his quick temper highly relatable. We still need a strong cast of supporting characters around him, again something that will come with time. We have already met a couple and their presence will become stronger as time goes on. From memory, a key part of Nipper's life is his relationship with his best friend, something we have yet to see here. So for now, it's all in the future, but this is a solid start and a likeable couple of pages. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "This must be manager Andy Stewart's decision! If he thinks he can kick me out without a fight - he's mistaken! I'll see him right now!"

Johnny Cougar and Splash Gorton

While exploring the New Forest, Johnny and Splash have come under attack. With arrows flying their way they take shelter in the foliage and wait to see who their attacker is. 

A voice calls at them from the forest, telling them that every move can be seen and that if they come into the open they will be unharmed. Cougar agrees, for surely if the attacker meant them harm he could have done so by now. 

They emerge from hiding and find themselves facing Robin Good, a man dressed like Robin Hood - complete with bow and arrow, who leads a band of outlaws who shelter in the forest.

There is one crucial difference though, Robin Good robs not only the rich but also the poor. He tells Johnny he has a task for him and soon the trio are travelling deeper into the forest. 

Coming to a stream, Robin Good's scheme is outlined. Robin and Johnny climb onto a log that straddles the stream and armed with staffs they prepare to battle. Win or lose, Robin Good tells Johnny he will soon be a leading member of the gang of outlaws. 

Mid-story Johnny said "What nonsense is this?" and I have to agree with him. Nonsense indeed. The first thing that springs to my mind is why is such a man living an outlaw's life in the twentieth century, resplendent in Lincoln Green, and why aren't the authorities doing something about it? Furthermore, how did he immediately know Johnny's name? Right from the first meeting he referred to Johnny as Johnny Cougar, and the only explanation I have is that perhaps this man isn't quite what he seems. There are plenty of positives in the story - the art is fantastic for one. Despite my dislike of this Robin Good character, he looks amazing on the page, and every image of him throughout the story captures my imagination. Of course, comics are a visual medium, and visually the story is stunning. On art alone, I would give it 10/10, but there is more to the story as such, and overall the art doesn't quite compensate for the tale that is being spun. Close to being amazing, but sadly lumbered with a story that doesn't ring true for me.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "It is no nonsense, Johnny Cougar...I am forming an outlaw band who will become as famous as the men in Lincoln Green who used to live in Sherwood Forest!"    

Tallon Of The Track

With two of her team members in an unnecessary accident, Jo and the Osprey's trip to Australia is in jeopardy. The good news is that despite the carnage we see in the first scene, both Dave and Sam are OK. Sure, Dave is in hospital for a week, and Sam has a broken collar bone, but at least they are alive.

They are alive, but they won't be competing in the Osprey's final meet of the season against Marsden Aces. Jo is relying on the other riders to get maximum points in the opening heat to build some confidence in the team, but as they go into the first bend of the first lap Jansson loses control and the two Ospreys riders tangle up. 

The crash we saw in the final panel of last week's issue dominates the story this week, and on the first page of the story, we see the state of the riders as they are pulled from the wreckage. Jo is deeply concerned for her riders but still has time to spell out what this could mean for the trip to Australia. The second part of the strip is more focused on the final meeting, and even though the race itself is merely two panels it certainly propels us into next week. Once again, amazing artwork and my eyes love looking at these pages. Not Jo herself, but the wreckage of the bikes, and the racing on track. All of it is fabulous, and unlike Johnny Cougar, it has a strong story to back it up. After several months of weak stories, we are back to exactly the type of Tallon of the Track story I want to see. 

Rating: 9/10

Best line: "He's trapped down there! Under the shattered timber!" 

Skid Solo

At the end of each season, the car mechanics hold their own race. In the first panel, we have Skid Solo watching on while Sandy speeds by in a neat reversal of what we have seen many times. 

Sadly Skid and Sparrow can't stay to see the race the next day, but Sandy tells them it's fine and he's confident about winning, especially since he prepared his own car. In fact, he's so confident that he tells them to meet him at Jack's restaurant the following day and he'll bring the trophy with him. 

The race goes well for Sandy, and he is in the lead from the start. The laps wheel by and he still retains his lead, until suddenly he is overtaken by a car that is considerably faster than his. 

Sandy can't believe it and despite his best efforts, he can't keep up with the faster car. He finishes second and quickly approaches the other driver to offer congratulations. He is surprised to find that under the crash helmet, the other driver is a woman,. and all he can do is exclaim "A girl!" 

That evening at Jack's restaurant Skid and Sparrow arrive and is shown to a table where sits the woman we have just seen win the race. Sparrow is taken aback and wonders if Sandy has gotten himself a girlfriend. It is then that Sandy appears with the trophy, as promised. However, he has to confess that the trophy isn't his, and belongs to their (oddly) unnamed dining companion. 

So, a girl was good enough to win the race, but not good enough to be given a name. We were so close too, the rest of the story was fantastic. It was great to see Sandy himself on the track, and I enjoyed his discomfort immensely when he saw who had beaten him. I also got a kick out of the restaurant scene, and Sandy sheepishly admitting that the trophy wasn't his. Sure, not giving the girl a name was a mistake, but the rest of the story was strong and I'm sure this was just a small oversight. Not your usual Skid Solo story, but one worth reading. Lovely art, and cracking dialogue all make this worthwhile and gives the comic the finish it deserves. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Well...she's the winner and it's her cup! Let's start eating!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 8/10

Best Story: Tallon Of The Track 

Best Line: "Stone me! Don't tell me Sandy's got himself a girlfriend!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz