Tiger 19th April 1975

Several stories are off to a fresh start, and in particular I look forward to seeing where Tallon Of The Track will go next. Johnny Cougar also has a new adventure awaiting, and this week is laying down the groundwork for that. All in all, a transition week for many of the stories, while a couple of others are reaching their climax. A good mix, and with a couple of firm favourites chugging along nicely, this week should be an interesting read.

Tiger

19th April 1975

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

A new adventure for Johnny Cougar this week and I look forward to seeing what situation our hero will be thrown into this time. 

The set-up is brief and to the point. Mister Mitchell is a P.E. teacher in the Midlands who seems to suffer mysterious accidents in the gymnasium. We learn this from three of his pupils, who discuss this after seeing the legs of the pommel horse collapse under him, seemingly sawn through.

Coincidently, Johnny Cougar is wrestling a Chinaman that very night in the town (Also, Dude, "Chinaman" is not the preferred nomenclature). The three boys, Tom Dailey, Danny Barlow, and Bobby Jackson approach Johnny Cougar after the fight and ask him for help. 

A basic set-up, and with the story still in embryonic form it is the artwork that carries the day. The faces of the three boys tell a story, and every time all three of them are in a panel the story leaps forward. Not a lot of Johnny Cougar in the story yet, although we did see him briefly wrestling a Chinese opponent. That fight is kept simple, with a headbutt and a sidestep, and with little fanfare it is just a chance to see Johnny do something in the ring. Splash is off at a swimming event, and didn't appear on the page with Johnny this week. Instead, we saw him making a phone call to tell Johnny how it was going. What this means for the future, I'm not sure, but potentially he may not be appearing in this story. That's understandable, with the three boys already to draw Johnny into the mystery, having Splash on the scene would clutter up the panels with extra bodies. We should learn more about the story to come next week, but for now, this has been a firm beginning. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Johnny Cougar! He's wrestling in our local town hall tonight! He'll know what to do...he always does, the Tiger and Scorcher!"  

Tallon Of The Track

The Ospreys are back in Britain, and Jo is angry at Basil Oldfield, the club chairman, yes - all is once again right in the world. 

The cause of Jo's anger is the possibility that the stadium will be closed down. Sir Basil only leases the stadium for the local property company, and it has now been sold to a new owner who wants to build a factory on the site. 

Jo is determined that this won't be happening under her watch, and learning that the new owner is a wealthy American millionaire called Miles Guthrie, she sets off to confront him. 

Miles Guthrie lives at Barnaby Grange, a country estate befitting a man of his wealth. Jo arrives with Dave and comments that it looks like he has built a private runway in the grounds, no doubt for his private jet. 

This assumption is dispelled in the next few panels as we see a drag racing bike howling down the asphalt towards them. Jo and Dave and forced to dive aside as the bike roars past them and after admiring the speed of the machine they are soon talking to the rider who is, unsurprisingly, Miles Guthrie.  

Miles confirms that yes, he does want to build a factory where the stadium now stands, a factory to build new dragster engines. This riles up Jo, who puts her case forward. The end result is Miles Guthrie challenges Jo to a series of different speed events and should she win he'll let them keep the stadium. We finish with the first look at what the first event will be with a pair of sleek aerodynamic bikes shown in the garage. 

Much better than the Russian storylines, we are back to the Tallon Of The Track that I know and love. This series of speed events holds great potential, and as much as I wanted to see speedway action, this is just as good. The bikes lined up for next week looked fantastic on the page, and the artist has imbued them with a sense of speed, even sitting still in the garage as they are. Miles Guthrie is shaping up to be a good character and a worthy opponent to Jo. Again, the panels with him on his bike were full of speed and energy and I could feel the pace at which they were moving just looking at the page. Next week can't come fast enough, and I look forward to seeing this story speed forward. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Sweetie-pie, this is a private pad...and I'm the kinda guy who does what he likes on his own property!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin and Tiny take the easy route, across a bridge, after seeing another car sink in the river on the novelty race course. 

After this soft start, we see the Mini take on a steep muddy slope before making their way back onto the surfaced track. Shortly after they are back at the starting point and speaking to a track marshal in the pits. He offers them some advice - get into the lead as soon as you can and stay there, Most of the crashes in the race will be caused by cars behind banging into the cars getting in trouble ahead of them. 

It is sound advice, advice that Martin and Tiny readily take on board. As the race begins Martin steps on it, and as they reach the first obstacle, the pipe tunnel, they are in third place. Martin is going too fast, and they find the car driving towards the roof of the pipe as they round the bend, leaving them no option but to drive faster and hope they go right over and down the other side. 

A slow start after seeing the river jump at the end of last week, I was sure we would begin with seeing the Mini taking on the ramp. Driving over the bridge was the correct option, and although it didn't thrill me it was still correct for the characters. Now that the race has started I am far more engaged, and this drama of the pipe and driving on the roof of it, not only looks spectacular but has me dying to see what happens next. The race is filled with obstacles such as this, and if we have such drama at each one we shall be in for a long and exciting run. The motor racing panels are the best in this strip this week, and there are plenty of them for me to admire. It would be hard to select a favourite, and the quantity of them is thrilling in itself. Each one is a burst of joy, and next week we should be in for more of the same with the Mini taking on this fascinating track. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Too fast! I warned you...we're on the roof!"

Roy Of The Rovers

Rovers are amid their quarter-final against Dynamo Zarnov, and not only facing a hostile crowd but also intimated officials. 

The referee has left the field after being hit by a shot from Roy, and another linesman has taken over. Awarding a free-kick to Rovers he is facing a barrage of abuse, especially as he paces out the distance from the ball the Zarnov players must retreat to. Telling them that he will give them all yellow cards if they don't do as instructed, the new referee earns the respect of the Rovers players. It's Roy who points out that is Hans Kutz, a German referee who once handled a World Cup final. 

Buoyed by 'the Iron Ref" taking charge, Lofty takes his place in his opponent's wall, holding his ground as they gouge, kick, and elbow. As Roy runs in for the kick, Lofty breaks from the wall, leaving space for Roy to shoot home the equalizing goal. 

Determined to strike back, the Dynamo Zarnov players hammer Rovers, scoring at the other end shortly after. However, this goal is waved off as at least three Melchester players were being fouled when the goal was scored. 

From the resulting free-kick, the ball is quickly kicked downfield, and after some fast interplay Roy scores with a diving header to clinch the quarter-finals on aggregate 3-2

Speeding to the airport the players ask about the advice given by the mysterious expert and his note in the bottle. They also question his deliberate kick of the ball at the referee. Roy explains that kicking the ball at the referee was indeed an accident, and the advice in the note was to try a banana shot at the opposition keeper. Roy laughs that he bent it too much, and it clobbered the referee. 

With this game behind them, Roy looks towards the next game, and we see him in the final panel thinking that it is time he stood on his own two feet, and he needs to discover the identity of the mysterious note writer. 

The on-field action was all I could ever want, and l was delighted to see Lofty mixing it up in the opposition wall. It was always going to be Roy scoring from the free kick, so I didn't feel a thrill when that went in. However, his second goal with a diving header was spectacular and I was far more excited to see that. It felt like a proper exciting, air-punching, football moment. The mysterious note writer was kept lowkey for this issue, and the story flowed much better when it was restricted to on-field action., This gave a chance for the artwork to shine, and we had several memorable panels. A steadily improving story, with Roy's final thoughts it looks like the mysterious note writer may be revealed in the next few weeks. I certainly hope so. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Gouge, kick and elbow all you like, chummies! I'm not budging an inch..!"

Billy's Boots 

Billy has a cold, which is unfortunate as this is the week of the final for the Schools Cup. 

Billy tries to go to school during the week but is restricted to bed rest on the orders of his Gran. His pal Jimmy visits, asking if he'll be right for cup day, and telling him that they practised with Granger in his place but Granger was rubbish. 

Billy turns to the pages of Dead-Shot Keen's biography to see what the future might hold for him. Dead-Shot faced the same situation, coming back from a cold to appear in a cup final. For most of that game, he achieved very little, until two minutes from time when he scored a spectacular solo goal to win the match. 

Billy is heartened by this, although he has concerns about being out of form come the match today. He is feeling better and tells his Gran that he is ready to return to school. Good old Gran errs on the side of caution and tells Billy he must stay in bed another day. Billy is desperate to get some practice in before the big game, and to that end, he begins to kick a ball around in his bedroom. The inevitable happens, and Billy sends the ball smashing through a window. This seals the deal in his Gran's eyes, and Billy is soon back to school. 

At school, Billy and the team are told that the bus leaves at eleven-thirty on Saturday to London, and to make sure that they aren't late. Furthermore, they have new shirts for the final. Billy is impressed with the new shirts, and excitement is high within the team. 

The final stepping stone before the final and we see Billy overcoming one last hurdle. His cold has come and gone, he's got a clean bill of health from his Gran, and the bus to London beckons.  Already a couple of different scenarios are playing out in my mind, but we'll have to wait until next week to see what comes to fruition. This wasn't the most exciting issue. A cold isn't the most thrilling thing to happen in a sports comic, and neither is seeing Billy reading his book. However, it is all part of building the story which will climax next week in London. We have marinated in this cup competition long enough, next week it is time for the payoff with a worthy game and a fitting climax to the story. Well, that's what I hope, anyway! 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "So did that football, didn't it? All right...you go to school tomorrow, young man - before you break anything else!" 

Hot Shot Hamish

It's a big day for Hamish Balfour. Not only has he been picked for Scotland, but Mister McWhacker also has an offer of four hundred thousand pounds for his transfer.

This is all dealt with in the following panel as Hamish tells them that he'll never leave Princes Park. The management team is overjoyed, as is Hamish's Daddie who is currently reading the news that Hamish has made the Scottish team. 

Two days later Hamish is awakened by a noise out on the street. It is his father, with both his bagpipes and Hamish's pet sheep, McMutton, who has come to watch him play for his country. Hamish explains to his Daddie that the game is still a month away, and he's too early.

This conversation is interrupted by Hamish's landlady who has arrived to kick Hamish's father out. She'll not have extra people lodging under her roof. Hamish's Daddie is cast out, and although he assures Hamish that he can survive in the big town, Hamish is unconvinced. 

In the following days, nothing more is heard from Hamish's Daddie. Hamish just isn't himself as he is consumed with worry and his form drops off sharply. Watching him put in a feeble effort against Duneaton, Mister McWhacker resorts to desperate measures, disguising himself as Hamish's Daddie in the hope that it will lift Hamish's game. 

I loved the look of Mister McWhacker dressed as Hamish's Daddie, and for everything that came before, this is the final image I will walk away with. A solid story this week and although the drama of the previous week was rapidly undone in the first panels, it was all worthwhile for Hamish's speech declaring his loyalty to Princes Park. Couple with the panel of Mister McWhacker dressed up, this was all I needed from the story and everything else was superfluous. Not quite the top shelf for Hot Shot Hamish, but still a stonking story and anytime Hamish's Daddie arrives we know we are in for chaos and drama.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "But the international match is no' being played until next month, Daddie. Ye're too early" 

Skid Solo

The story of Tommy Carter joining Skid and Sandy continues this week, with all three preparing for a big race. Skid reminds Tommy that Sparrow Smith got his start as working as a mechanic for Skid like Tommy is now.

Watching Sparrow on the track, they see that he is being crowded by another driver, and by the end of the page Sparrow has been run off the track. Skid and his crew run to his aid, Skid being the first there and asking if he's alright. He is, but he is angry that Gino Renga has driven him off the track and not bothered to see if he is all right. 

Gino Renga was the number one driver for Martine cars before Sparrow took over, and the two have some history in this respect. 

Later that afternoon, Skid takes to the track for a fast run. He starts quick enough, but out on the track one of his wheels comes loose and the next moment it's off and so is Skid. Luckily Skid is unharmed, although poor Sandy is facing an all-night job to repair the car.

With the aid of Tommy Carter, Sandy has the car ready for action at 9.30am the following day. Skid is most impressed and asks Sandy if Tommy was much help to him. Sandy assures Skid that Tommy was a great help and worked himself to a standstill. In fact, at that moment Tommy is sleeping at the back of the workshop and not even some teasing from Skid and Sandy can wake him from his slumbers.

We end the story with Sandy telling Skid that he's sure Tommy will be awake for his first Grand Prix as he's just beginning to realise what it's all about. It's a warm moment and a nice way to wrap up this week's episode.

With Renga tangling with Sparrow, there was little room for Skid to become involved in the build-up to the next race. The wheel coming loose and falling off felt shoehorned in and was merely a device to give Skid some danger on the track and prove Tommy's worth in the workshop. This it achieved admirably and the story felt relatively seamless. The stage is now set for the story to heat up next week with Skid, Sparrow, and Renga all taking to the track for some tough racing, and this will be where Tommy really learns what it is all about. It should tick plenty of the boxes for what I look for in a Skid Solo comic, and I can't wait. That doesn't detract from this week's story, and everything here was necessary for what comes next. It was delicately arranged, and we squeezed a lot in, but now we are ready for future episodes and some proper racing drama. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "The wee lad's worked himself to a standstill, Skid. In fact, I dinna think I'd have the car ready if it hadna been for his help. He's back there the noo...sleeping!" 

Nipper 

Nipper is roughing it up with an amateur team at the park, while his future at Blackport remains cloudy. At first Nipper struggles, but gritting his teeth he shows his mettle and standing up to the stronger opponents he wins the ball before his class shines through as he drifts through the defence to score. 

A well-dressed man yells encouragement from the sideline and Nipper initially wonders who this new fan could be. He finds out soon enough as the stranger approaches at halftime. It's Harry Roper, the manager of Gatesfield. He lets Nipper know that he's interested in signing him, but Nipper confirms his loyalty to Blackport, before reminding Mr. Roper that he's not allowed to make an approach to Nipper without the manager's permission,.

Mister Roper then drops a bombshell, informing Nipper that his manager has indeed given him permission to make an approach, and made it in writing. 

Nipper feels betrayed by his manager, and as the game resumes his thoughts towards Blackport darken. The Gatesfield offer is appealing, and even more so when Nipper asks how much he'll be paid (yelling from the field, no less) and gets the response that it will be more than what he is currently getting.

It's beginning to look a lot like Nipper will be leaving Blackport. I like the trail of breadcrumbs that has got us to this point, and Gatesfield's approach seems inevitable. With Nipper's girlfriend on hand confirming that it looks like Nipper may be leaving, it's all delicately placed for next week. This week's issue had a fine blend of on-field action and sideline drama, and I appreciated that all this was achieved in two pages. The first page of football was a mix of Nipper's toughness, followed by some finesse, and showed that he is a player for all seasons. Over the page, the transfer drama ramped up, and by the bottom of the page, I was thirsting for more. A great end to this week's issue, and hopefully the Nipper story will appear early in next week's comic so I can find out what happens next. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Think it over, lad! I'll run you up to Gatesfield right after this game, if you like! Let you see our set-up!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Tallon Of The Track

Best Line: "There's no' enough money in the world to make me leave Princes, Sir. I'm a Scotsman...an' I play fer a Scottish club! Princes is my club...and I'll no' leave 'em...never!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: