Tiger 24th November 1973

Skid Solo on the front cover is usually a good indication of how the rest of an issue of Tiger will be, and looking at the cover of 24th November 1973, I can safely say we are in for a good one. You might think that I am easily swayed by the color, but there are many things I like about it, so let us jump straight into the Skid Solo story. 

Tiger
24th November 1973

Skid Solo

Mustachioed villains. Old racing cars. An island location. This Skid Solo story is putting it all out there. I must admit, I'm a sucker for a mustachioed villain, and in the bandit "Speedo" we have a classic of the genre. The story begins with a race about to begin between Skid and this bandit before we flashback to the preceding events that lead us to this point. It all began with Skid and Sandy taking a boat out for the day before they decided to land on an island (palm trees, white beaches). Here they run into some gunman who takes them before their leader, the wonderfully mustached Speedo. Speedo offers to race Skid in some of the cars from his collection, an offer that Skid declines, that is until he finds that Speedo has sabotaged his boat and he is stuck with no option but to race. Skid selects a car, which Sandy dutifully brings up to race speed overnight, before we finish as the race begins, setting up a nice cliffhanger into next week's issue. Without any racing action, this story holds my attention throughout, and there is plenty that catches my eye on the pages. The old cars look great, the location is exciting, and the villains are superb. This is all building for the next issue, but even so, I find I dwell over this story for a long time, soaking in every piece of the artwork.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Och, mon, it's sheer madness to go racing in these things! They're museum pieces" 

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy of the Rovers returns to the Jumbo Trudgeon/Pudley village storyline this week. Colonel Chadwick is still leading the protest against the heavy traffic when Roy and Jumbo arrive directly from their game via helicopter. With Henry Trudgeon beside them, they propose a solution., The bad blood between the families began with a gold game, and Jumbo suggests it could be resolved with a golf game. Roy goes one better and suggests a penalty shoot-out between himself and a professional player of Henry Trudgeon's choosing, with the winner deciding the fate of Pudley's traffic bypass. The twist in the tale comes with Colonel Chadwick choosing Jumbo to represent him in the shootout. A penalty apiece sees the issue ends with all to play for and the rest of the Melchester players wondering aloud who will win, and suggesting that surely Jumbo has to let Roy win for the sake of peace in the village. An improvement from last week, the story is slowly coming together, although, I must admit, I already have my eye on the horizon in the hopes that we can move past this soon. It's good to see some conflict within the team, even if it is only slight, and I too am wondering how this shootout will end. Next week we will all find out together. 

 Rating: 5/10

Best Line: "What the heck is going to happen?"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Things move pretty fast in Martin's Marvellous Mini, and this week's issue slides across the pages in great style. Finding themselves unexpectedly in a stock car race on ice, the boys made a good go of it. After a slow start, they gain traction, and after a couple of slippery laps, they find an escape when another car crashes through a barrier. Taking their chance, they drive into the woods and freedom. The story ends as Tiny and Martin board a train for Paris, only for the villains to board the same train in the very next panel.  It was hard to get a grip on this story, it all flashed by so fast, one minute they were negotiating the race, the next they escaped and we were on a train to Paris. I do like it for this, it is non-stop and lifts the pace of the comic, especially after the pedestrian Roy Of The Rovers story that preceded it. Fast and likable, this week sums up all I like about Martin's Marvellous Mini.  

 Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Gosh, what a pile-up! Put the brakes on!"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

Splash Gorton takes centre stage as we begin a new Johnny Cougar adventure. The story begins with Splash about to dive from a cliff-top for charity. After a safe dive, and avoiding a treacherous current Splash and Johnny are approached to take part in an expedition for sunken treasure. Splash's diving skills are required in the dangerous waters of the Pacific. Wrestling is bought into the fold as the expedition leader invites Johnny, it seems wrestling is also popular in the South Seas. A pleasant enough introduction to their next adventure, I appreciate that we get to see Splash showing some of his swimming skills, and I think this bodes well for future issues. It's also nice that we get to see Splash's pet penguin, it all adds to the kooky vibe of his character. I wonder how the wrestling in the South Seas will go, it does feel shoehorned in at this stage, but I understand that it is Johnny Cougar's name at the top of the title. A light issue this week, but enjoyable. 

Rating: 6/10

Best Line:  "Cougar foolish to worry...Splash heap fine diver and swimmer!"

A Horse Called Ugly

Last week Julian Carr's horse, Guardsman, missed a jump but finished strongly before Joe and Ugly started on the show course. This week we see the outcome of Joe and Ugly's round. Things start well enough for them, and Angela in particular is excited by the prospect of a clear round. However, on the second-page things take a turn as Joe's saddle breaks and he is left clinging to Ugly. Things go from bad to worse, Ugly crashes into a fence, and then takes off, leaving Joe calling him in dismay.  This week is on par with last week, and the story works well in two halves, on the first page everything goes well, the second page everything goes bad. I do like the dramatic drawings of the horses in action, and there is a couple of panels that stand out this week in that respect. Even if I'm not a fan of the overall storyline, each issue is exciting and dramatic, key ingredients in these comics. 

 Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "What a ghastly thing to happen. Joe could be badly hurt" 

Football Family Robinson 

Fred Robinson still has his mind on the information that Kevin has in regard to Rodney Bull. Last week their home match was delicately poised, the opening panels this week see them pull out a 2-1 victory with only minutes remaining before Fred and Kevin abandon Viv and Ma to go have a look at what could be vital information. Viv is not to be outsmarted however and finds them staking out well-known crinal Bernie Maxwell's place. She confronts them, just as the man they were watching disappears, and they miss a vital chance to help Alf. This week's issue has great interaction between the characters, and Viv steals every science she is in. She really is a firecracker, and the telling-off she gives Kevin is relatable to anyone that has ever had to face an angry wife. Great art conveys all the emotion, and the story feels as if it is picking up steam again. We have learnt a lot more about the criminals this week, and things are developing apace.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Dad and Kev have both spun us yarns to get out of going to the pictures. What's their game?"

The Tigers

Chunky is the mist help for his punting team when he's asleep. At least that is how it seems in the opening panels as his punt overtakes another, while Chunky takes a nap.Once he awakes the story pics up, although by the end it reaches a point where I wish he was still sleeping. First, his punting pole gets stuck, and he ends up having to be pulled from the water. Then, when the river forks, the Tigers seemingly stake the wrong fork. Several hours later in the darkness, Chunky finds himself suddenly hooked by a passing air balloon, and come morning we see our hero floating above the competing punts, although it seems his balloon is rapidly sinking. I'm going to put my cards on the table. I don't like it. The punting was ho-hum, but the air balloon was all too much for me, and even though it was only a couple of pages, it was all too much for me. I know, I am generally harsh on The Tigers, I try to be fair when I can, but I just don't get it. I'm scoring it lowly, but only because it's not my cup of tea. I'm sure there is an audience for it, just not at my house.   

 Rating: 3/10

Best line: "It-it's a blooming great b-balloon! I know I get carried away sometimes, but this is ridiculous!" 

Tallon Of the Track

Jo is still on the trail of those that tried to take her life, although the clue of the matches associated with the bathhouse is temporarily put on the back-burner as Jo prepares the Ospreys for their next competition. There is some resistance to her, given that she is a woman, but she deals with this quickly enough with a display of outstanding riding ability. After a training montage worthy of a Rocky movie the story swings back to the mysterious bathhouse as Jo approaches in a dingy part of town. However, her approach has been seen by the two criminals within who intend on dealing with her. What a great cliffhanger to end the issue on, and as tough as Jo Tallon is, I fear for her being alone in this part of town. The story has riding action and this larger story in equal measure, and I enjoy seeing a strong female character like Jo take charge, the way she dealt with the dissent in the team is great, and anytime she is on a bike things happen. A strong finish to yet another solid issue of Tiger. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Look at that dame go! She's as steady as a rock!"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Skid Solo 

Best Line: Jo Tallon - "So you think you're the tops, eh, big mouth? Okay, let's see how well you can control that speed-iron of yours"

Best Panel:

Tiger 17th November 1973

There were several cliffhangers in last week's issue that I am looking forward to seeing the resolution of this week. Johnny Cougar, Martin's Marvellous Mini, and Tallon of the Track all vie for my attention, but first, there is the small matter of Roy Of The Rovers and their game against Wakeford.  

Tiger
17th November 1973

Roy Of The Rovers

Wakeford got off to a fast start last week in Roy of the Rovers. This week Roy tempers that by slowing play down and passing the ball, thus tiring Wakeford to Rovers level. It takes some time, but eventually, this pays off as Roy scores the equalizer in the final minutes. The end is a cliche, as is much of the match, and this week's episode feels like a placeholder until the broader storyline picks up again. There is hope that the larger story of the road by-pass will be resolved next week as Roy looks to get things settled before the replay.  I felt this week's Roy Of the Rovers was a little weak, and for me, the best part of the story was the first color panel of Charlie pulling off a great save. Luckily there is plenty more to look forward to in the coming pages.

 Rating: 4/10

Best Line: "Oh, no..it's there!  Where the heck did Race come from...?"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

Johnny's match with the imposing Tovaritch comes to its conclusion this week, and after several weeks of intense action, I have to say that this week is a letdown. After several rounds of back and forth, the story this week begins with Johnny taking control as they each grab each other in submission holds. The high point this week comes immediately after as they both take to the robes looking to body-check their opponent. This results in CJohnny catching Tovaritch with a boot which swings the rest of the match his way as he goes on the offense. In a dramatic final move, Johnny uses his body to throw Tovaritch over his head and into the ring post for a knock-out win. It sounds good as I see it here, put in the comic it never comes to life as much as I hoped it would. However, the writers do sow some seeds for future storylines as Tovaritch promises to train another champion worthy of taking on the almighty Johnny Cougar. I was invested in this story throughout, but the ending leaves me cold, and I can't quite pinpoint why. As always though, things move pretty fast and another adventure awaits us next week with a new start.   

Rating: 6/10

Best Line:  "Super show, Daddy-O... Now that big boaster knows who's the top man around here!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martins's Marvellous Mini is a story of two parts this week, as the first page deals with the resolution of last weeks cliff hanger, and the second page sets up what's going to happen next. We last left Tiny on an out-of-control bedstead rolling downhill, while martin did his best to catch him. With some skillful driving, some good timing, and a shot of luck, Martin manages to catch Tiny on the roof of George. However, they are still being pursued, and manage to shake the thugs and hide in the car. It is this that brings us to the second half of the adventure, as they find themselves caught up in a race, a stock car race on ice! I wasn't taken by the first half of this week's story, but I'm loving the second half set up and I can't wait to see how our pals will go in the stock car race. As always, this strip gets an extra boost as it is in color, but it deserves it as it consistently delivers action and adventure. How can one little car get into so many madcap adventures, I just don't know.     

 Rating: 7/10

Best line: "On ice! We can't afford to slip up in this race!"

Tallon Of the Track

Things looked grim for Jo Tallon as she burst from the burning building last week, only to find herself hurtling at a concrete wall. Some amazing riding in the first few panels this time around, see her avoid disaster as she jumps her bike sideways, letting the tyres take the impact, before she crashes to earth, shaken but not hurt. Meanwhile, her bike isn't so lucky and is a mangled mess. The veer alert Jo spots the two men who started the fire and rushes their vehicle, hurling her crash helmet through the windshield, before they make a desperate getaway.  From here the story becomes a detective story as Jo finds a vital clue in the form of a folder of matches with the name of a Turkish bathhouse. I think we can see where the story will go from here, but with a strong character like Jo Tallon anything could happen, and my thoughts are rapidly moving towards the next issue already. This is a solid installment, with both action and intrigue, and things are well-balanced as we move forward. We have moved away from the action on the track, but the story is still engaging throughout.  

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "L-look! She managed to get out of that inferno alive!"

The Tigers

Chunky's punting adventure picks up as they have their first try in a punt that Chunky borrows. As expected, there are a couple of spills, before the gang runs into Ron Burton as his mates. Ron tries to tip Chunky's punt but instead tips up the wrong punt. After being thrown in the water by some older angry boys, Ron swears revenge in the race a couple of days later. As the race begins, Chunky looks for a fast start but only succeeds in throwing mud into Ron's ear, the story ending as again Ron swears to get revenge. Sometimes I enjoy the humor in The Tigers, and other times I find the story tiresome as a never-ending back and forth between Chunky and Ron. Sadly, this is the mood the story finds me in this week, and as much as I try to focus on it, I find it all too similar to what I've seen before. Maybe it's just me, and the miserable weather, but this one's not for me. A solid story, but I'm scoring it lowly.     

 Rating: 4/10

Best line: "Oh, no! we-we've sunk the wrong punt!"

Football Family Robinson 

Plenty of football action in this week's Football Family Robinson. The drama of Kevin's threatening phone call is temporarily put to one side as the game against Westhall Wanderers continues. After a spectacular goal from Ron puts the family up, Westhall equalizes with a goal that could uncharitably be called a fluke. At half time the plot swings back to Kevin being threatened as he tells Fred Robinson what has transpired. This doesn't bode well for the second half as Fred takes the picture with his mind still lingering on what Kevin has told him. We end this week with the sideline conversation surmising that if Fred carries on daydreaming they could lose the match. The story here treads a fine line between on-field and off-field action, and both overlap, driving the story on. I particularly like the artwork this week, it gives it a proper 1970s feel, and the hairstyles and clothing firmly root it in the time it was written. Maybe a little more Viv would be nice, but it's great as it is, and I have to move on from my love for Viv!   

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "But one thing's for sure. No one is going to scare me off with threats!" 

Skid Solo

I yearn for Skid Solo to the track as we have another curious between-season story. This week skid is in an unnamed Central European city when he is caught up in a "follow-that-man!' story. Skid almost hits a cyclist, before a plainclothes police officer leaps into Skid's car and tells him to give chase. The police officer looks to shoot the cyclist, but Skid isn't havening it and stops the vehicle. The frustrated police officer arrests him and Skid drives to the Police Headquarters, where they arrive just in time to see the cyclist has been apprehended. That's just merely the beginning of the story, as the cyclist pulls out a hand grenade and demands Skid drive him to the border. After crashing through the border, Skid, the cyclist, and the plainclothed policeman are arrested. It is then revealed that the cyclist is a bank robber and facing a long stretch, leading Skid to conclude that you can't judge by appearances. The conclusion is fine, but it takes a long time to get there. As much as I love the artwork, and I can't stress that enough, I do find myself losing interest in these one-off Skid stories, and I can only think of a future time when we are back into the Grand Prix racing. Solid, but not my cup of tea. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "Frontier ahead! Sure you didn't want to stop and talk it over?"   

A Horse Called Ugly

Julian Carr's horse, Guardsman, missed the triple jump in the final panels of  A Horse Called Ugly last week, but both horse and rider recover to make a strong finish and incur no other penalties. Although Julian blames Joe for the fault, every other horse also fails at the triple jump. On the final page and we have Joe and Ugly taking on the course and lining up the triple jump as this week's issue concludes. After the convoluted previous Skid Solo story, I like this for its simplicity and straightforward plot. There is enough action in the story, with plenty left in the tank for the following issue. I never thought I would be hooked by horse action, yet here I am enjoying this story just as much as any other. A pleasant surprise and a fine way to end this week. 

 Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "Let him go, Joe - I've got no time for a rider who blames his horse for his own mistakes" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6/10

Best Story: Football Family Robinson  

Best Line: Johnny Cougar - "Ouch! The big fella thought Cougar would jump over him..and he dived straight into the Indian's knee! That hurt!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 10th November 1973

 I am quietly looking forward to this week's issue. In particular, last week's Johnny Cougar has me eager with anticipation to see the outcome of his match against The Great Tovaritch. I am immediately rewarded as I see Johnny and his opponent on the front cover, so with no thought to my personal safety, I'm jumping right in. 

Tiger
10th November 1973

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

Having given away the first pinfall of the match, things are looking grim for Johnny. The posing Tovaritch on the front cover looks like a man mountain, and it's hard to see how Johnny can overpower him. No doubt the writers will find a way. Speed is the answer, and after taking several heavy blows, including one beautifully drawn forearm smash, Johny finally gets into the match.  Sidestepping his opponent, and then applying a nerve hold, frustrates Tovaritch into a rush charge that sees him clatter into a ring post. The quick-thinking Johnny follows up with some offense of his own, that sees the match tied with a pinfall apiece. Like last week, the in-ring action is great, although not as essential as last time around. Always nice to see Johnny outwitting his opponents, and it is a case of brain verse brawn as we go into the next round. A solid follow-up to last week, and this story still has some way to go. As both a wrestling fan and comic fan, this is nirvana for me.

Rating: 7/10

Best Line:  "Uuurgh...wh-what day is it?"

Roy Of The Rovers

Welcome to the Trains, Planes, and Automobiles edition of Roy of the Rovers. Jumbo's problems at Pudley village continue this week, and Melchester Rovers just so happen to need to pass through the village on their way to an F.A. cup tie against Wakeford. Anticipating trouble all club emblems are removed from the coach before embarking on their journey. Soon enough they are stuck in traffic due to the demonstration in Pudley, and have to hitch a ride on a lorry. From here it is on to a train to Branley, still twenty miles from Wakeford, and then a local bus. Even that doesn't get them close enough and they have to walk the last mile to the stadium, barely making it in time. As the game kicks off it is immediately apparent that the Rovers are exhausted and they give away a goal in the opening minute. Although not directly confrontational, the Pudley storyline is still central to this week's issue. It is well worked, and I appreciate that Pudley and the extended journey are directly linked to the on-field play. This week is a vast improvement on the previous issue, and I am more than happy to see the story go in this direction. 

 Rating: 6/10

Best Line: "The Rovers were caught flat-footed! Wakeford could score a dozen today!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

The treasure hunt continues for Tiny and Martin as they search a vacant lot in Oslo for an oil painting. rather unluckily for them, the two mysterious men who have been chasing them are sitting in a nearby restaurant and spot Martins mini parked opposite. This is particularly unlucky as Tiny had just found a rolled-up canvas in a bedstead. This leads to a comical chase as Marin and Tiny flee the scene with Martin driving, and Tiny on the bedstead hanging onto the back of the mini. Into the mountains they go, where eventually it is too cold for Tiny to hang on, and as he goes off the road the villains pursue him rather than the mini. A fine balance in this week's story between comedy and drama, and I feel the mix is perfect. The story is moved forward, and we get some villainous action and driving excitement as well as the usual one-liners from both our heroes.  With the name of the man behind it all revealed as Zarkof, we still have plenty of gas in the story, and I'm hungry to know more about this man.  

 Rating: 7/10

Best line: "I g-guess this must be the fastest bedstead in Oslo!"

A Horse Called Ugly

Julian Carr's horse, Guardsman, is still undergoing rehabilitation under the guiding hands of Joe. Julian is still distrustful of Joe and isn't reassured when he finds Joe and Guardsman swimming. The exercise seems to have worked, and Guardsman looks stronger, however, once the show jumping begins he takes a bad tumble at the triple, leaving Julian to curse Joe for making his horse lame. After a slow start, the second page is where it all happens, and I feel it finishes on a high in the final panels. Sometimes A Horse Called Ugly can meander with no real sense of drama, but this week it's well pitched, and I walk away very happy. If it was like this every week I would be very happy indeed. With dramatic artwork to match the storytelling, this story is beginning to hit its stride. 

 Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "I'll be surprised if that horse gets around the course tomorrow without breaking down at the first fence" 

Skid Solo

A curious Skid Solo story this week as Sandy goes home to his ill father, leaving another mechanic, Danny, to look after the team. Long hair, casual looking, and loose with language, Danny seems the antithesis of Sandy, although he certainly knows a thing or two about cars. After taking the car for a fast and furious test drive, he tells Skid that they sound a little rough and then spends the night stripping them down and rebuilding them. There is some tension between him and Skid, perhaps a generation gap, and this is made worse when Danny says if they win he'll take the prize money as payment, but f they lose he won't take any payment at all for his work. Come race day and Skid and Mike take first and second, leaving Danny to receive a cheque for a thousand pounds. When asked what he'll do with the money he tells Skid that he's going to take a holiday and sit in the sun for six months. A story of culture clash, we see the free-spirited youth of the sixties and early seventies collide with the somewhat old --fashioned sensibility of Skid Solo. It makes for an interesting read, and even if it is a low-stakes story I still find myself buckled up for the ride throughout. Not your typical Skid Solo story, but one that I dig a lot, man. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Listen, man... I don't ask you if you know how to drive! I trust you! You trust me too!"   

Tallon Of the Track

More mysterious strangers in this week's comic as Tallon Of the Track has Jo Tallon also observed my mystery men. After learning Jo's backstory last week, this week some of her past comes directly into the story with two strange men following her home. As she puts her bike away the door behind her slams, and the two men set fire to her garage, with her still in it. There's only one thing to do, and Jo mounts her bike, ready to crash her way out of the blazing shed. She smashes her way through only to find herself about to hit the concrete extension at the back of the garage head-on. A lot of dama here for what is only a two-page story. It's beautiful to look at as well as read and is the best story in this week's issue. Jo is a likable character, the villains are just the right sort of mysterious, and every scene with the bike looks great. A firm favorite, Tallon of the Track delivers again.  

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "One well-aimed shot with this bundle of rags-and it's goodbye to Jo Tallon"

Football Family Robinson 

There is nothing Kev and Viv and do about the fire at the newspaper office. Whatever important documents Kevin had about the innocence of Alf Robinson, they're gone now.  The swirling drama continues around the Football Family Robinson as they play Westhall Wanderers. As the game commences, Kevin receives a threatening phone call that is unfortunately cut off by a wildly struck ball. Such is the world of football. This story is getting better week by week, and it goes up another cog with this week's issue. Now that Kevin has been bought into the story, there is a chance of a positive outcome, although it remains to be seen how this will all unfold. The opening page was great, the final panels also, and even if the prematch buildup lacked any drama it did play into what happened next in the story. I usually look for Viv in these stories, but I'm so caught up in what's happening that that has become secondary to me now.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Listen, mister- if you're threatening me.." 

The Tigers

A new adventure this week off Chunky Clark and The Tigers. After all their angling fun, this week they remain on the water for a punting jaunt. As is typical of these stories they run afoul of  Ron Burton, and after a mishap between their punts, there is a chase downstream. Seen by the youth club organizers they are introduced to a 24-hour marathon punt race one that Chunky is determined to win. Short on high jinks, and with the setup for the marathon race, this week's issue is a flat spot after last week. That's not too surprising, the story is resetting itself for this new direction, and it still has enough of Chunky's one-liners to make me smile, although I couldn't quite get it to a grin this week. Things look promising for the future, and I have got my money's worth again from this issue.

 Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "G-great electric bananas! It's a beefy great bull!"

  

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7.5/10

Best Story: Tallon Of The Track  

Best Line: Martin's Marvellous Mini - "Forget the mini...follow the bedstead... "

Best Panel:

Tiger 3rd November 1973

The last issue of Tiger I read had a fantastic cliff-hanger that I have been thinking about all week. 

Roy of The Rovers has been shot.

In 1973.

Why weren't more people talking about this?

I need to know more. But first, there's a Skid Solo story for me to negotiate.

Tiger
3 November 1973

Skid Solo

The cover showing a vehicle crashing through a barrier while the driver jumps out is slightly misleading. It's only when one reads on that it's revealed that it's not Skid himself, but rather a film of another driver. As the caption says, Skid is called in on many different projects, and this week he's investigating what caused the accident. The story is well told, although I am disappointed with the final reveal. It can easily be summed up as nice, rather than dramatic. Still, it is unexpected and I enjoy that aspect. The art as always is of the highest standard, and I especially enjoy the first page. Skid is still one of my favorite characters, even if his stories don't always give me what I want.  

Rating: 4.5/10

Best line:  "This Solo is a good man! He knows his job!"   

Roy Of The Rovers

Last week's Roy of the Rovers promised so much and I'm bitterly disappointed to report that all the drama is instantly let out of the story as Roy is seen beside the field in the first panel. Tension, drama, and anticipation, are all wasted as we see Roy pitch side with a walking stick. The incident of the shooting is skimmed over in the story, a single panel of Roy explaining to the Melchester bench what happened. However, Jumbo Tridgeon can't so easily move on and it affects his play throughout the game until Roy gives him some advice about the Holverton centre-back. This leads to Jumbo scoring the match-winning goal. In the final panel, it is revealed that the drama back at Pudley Village is not yet over and Colonel Chadwick has another demonstration organised. I feel badly let down by Roy Of The Rovers this week. The finish last week was so exciting, but this week there is no pay-off at all, and the story barely touches on Roy's shooting. A great opportunity lost I think, and I'm sure that if Roy is ever shot again a lot more will be made of it. Last week I rated this story a nine, unfortunately, this week doesn't even come close to those heights. 

 Rating: 4/10

Best Line: "He's starting to turn, by Jove! If Roy is right, all I've got to do is keep going!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

A helicopter with a  flamethrower was a great way to end last week's Martin's Marvellous Mini and an equally great way to start this week's issue. Driving into the woods, Martin and Tiny seek to evade their airborne foe, and Tiny concocts a scheme to shoot down the helicopter. Using towropes, pine trees, and a boulder, they fling the boulder at the helicopter, hitting it the first time, and making good their escape. Back on the treasure hunt, they discover the road they seek has an East and West and heading to Convitch Road West they find a vacant lot where we leave the, looking for their treasure. Another solid issue this week, and the inventive way they shoot down the helicopter dominates the first half of the story. This is the best part of the story, although knocking a helicopter out of the sky does seem reckless and life-endangering. After the slow start of the first two stories, I feel re-energised by the appearance of Martin's Marvellous Mini and I'm feeling all the more positive about the rest of this issue.

 Rating: 7/10

Best line: "I saw this done on television"

The Tigers

In the afterglow of Martin's Marvellous Mini, I feel much happier with this week's The Tigers. Basking in the reflective glory of the previous story. This week Chunky continues his good luck in the world of angling, first capturing a fish with his stool, before pulling a boot from the water- also containing a fish! This luck continues to his final fish, as he accidentally throws Ron the water the fish jump clear and straight onto his line. Normally this would raise a smile, but I'm in a good mood, and several parts of the story have me grinning like a fool. Even the "Grotty grapefruit" line has me nodding appreciatively. Was it because of its esteemed company, or is it because Chunky has won me over, I don't know, but I'm rating this week's issue higher than I perhaps should. 

 Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "Grotty grapefruit"

A Horse Called Ugly

When we last left Joe and Ugly, they were watching on while Julian Carr's horse took fright and got tangled in brambles. That is resolved early on this week, as Joe and Ugly ride in and lead the horse to safety. The rest of the story concerns the treatment of the horse for a competition in a week's time.  With Joe taking charge of the rehabilitation, the problem is how to exercise a lame horse. We don't find out in this issue, and like Angela, we follow Joe to see what he will do next. I found this an improvement on last week's issue, and the conflict between Joe and Julian Carr is the real draw of the story rather than the horses themselves. I am curious to see how this plays out, even if I don't particularly care how they go about t treating the horse. Not a great issue, but better than last week, and enough here to call me back for next time around. 

 Rating: 5/10

Best line:  "Rubbish! How can you exercise a lame horse?" 

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

We were promised the fight of the century, and this week we get to see if it lives up to the hype. With a build-up stretching several weeks, now is the time for the payoff as Johnny finally confronts Tovaritch in the ring. I can confirm that the story lives up to its billing as on the first page we see Tovaritch offering Johnny a free shot with a forearm smash, an offer that Johnny takes up, but alas to no success. Tovaritch is indeed as tough as he promised. When he retaliates, both the reader and Johnny realizes that this is going to be one of the toughest opponents he has ever faced. The action heats up from this initial exchange with both wrestlers exchanging heavy blows before Tovaritch manages the first pinfall. The story has been simmering nicely for several weeks now, and as it begins to boil over this issue I am more than satisfied. There is some excellent in-ring action, and the artwork does it justice as we see Johnny give a flying headbutt before being thrown from the ring. This is easily the story of the week, and I could choose any number of panels as a favorite. The is the Johnny Cougar I know and love, and the story I've been waiting to see. 

Rating: 9/10

Best Line:  "Old Seminole saying: 'bigger they are, heap harder they fall'"

Football Family Robinson 

Last week things slowed down for Football Family Robinson as they played Harfield. With rogue Brystone fans appearing to boo  Alf at every opportunity, it looks as though the Robinson family may struggle against this team. But Alf puts his recent problems behind him, and plays a blinder, leading the team to a 3-0 victory. There is further positive news as Viv's boyfriend appears to have found further information that proves Alf's innocence in the Rodney Bull bashing. Things take a turn on the final page though as just as Viv and Kevin arrive at the newspaper office they find it on fire. Great to see this story accelerate again, and the drama of the last page has me rubbing my hands in anticipation. I'm also pleased to report that Viv gets plenty of page space. I used to be ambivalent towards Football Family Robinson but that is changing with every issue. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "It's disgraceful! Alf is booed every time he goes near the ball"  

Tallon Of the Track

Last week it was revealed that Tallon Of the Track was in fact Jo Tallon. Much more is revealed this week, not only do we meet the feisty Jo Tallon properly, but we also learn her entire back story, including some information that looks like it will be driving the story in the future. Jo Tallon is not only a fantastic rider but also the daughter of the ex-middle weight boxing champion of Britain, "Tiger" Tallon. It seems Tiger is wrongly jailed for gold smuggling, and Jo is seeking money to free him. There is more to this story though, as we see on the final page two sinister characters in a car observing the meeting and planning a future accident for Miss Tallon. there is a lot of exposition in this week's story, but it all feels essential and is setting up the action for the coming weeks. I don't mind it too much, I can already see we'll have immediate payoff next week and the story moves in this new direction. Last week's issue was great, and this week's very good. This story will become a mainstay of Tiger, I'm sure.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "Maybe you don't know it, but this cat's got claws!"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Johnny Cougar  

Best Line: Tovaritch - "Your previous opponents must have been paper men! "

Best Panel:

Tiger 27th October 1973

One of the beauties of comics is you can judge a book by its cover - and by this week's cover, I am judging that we are in for a treat. Roy Of The Rovers stars on the cover with its splash of color and drama, but I won't be dwelling too long on this cover as I want to get inside and see what it's all about as soon as possible! It may not be football action, but I'm impatient to see some of the strands from last week's story continue and hopefully tie me further into the story. Cover dispensed with, I'm turning the page. 

Tiger
27 October 1973

Roy Of The Rovers

Well, things have certainly escalated for Jumbo Trudgeon in this story.  Roy Of The Rovers continues from its eye-catching cover with Jumbo taking Roy back to his village of Pudley as an explanation of his problems. It seems his problems stem from lorry drivers using the village as a shortcut. there is a solution, using some of his lands, but the problem is exacerbated by a feud between his Uncle and Colonel Chadwick. The story moves quickly this week, and every panel reveals more of the story until we reach the climax -Roy is accidentally shot by Sir Henry Trudgeon! I felt last week's Roy Of The Rovers was lackluster, but this week certainly makes up for it with a good mix of story and action. The final panels are particularly memorable and well worth the cover price as we see Roy take a shotgun blast. There will be later stories of Roy being shot, but for now, this is shocking enough and is the ultimate cliffhanger ending. 

 Rating: 9/10

Best Line: "look out..the old fool's going to shoot!" 

The Tigers

Dressed in scuba gear, Ron Burton was about to sabotage Chunky Clark and The Tigers when we last left the action. Lost in his angling, and thoughts of catching a fish, Chunky doesn't notice Ron swimming beneath him. With a dose of his famous luck, he snares Ron in the branches of the tree he is sitting in, pulling him from the water and exposing him. From there chaos ensues, the story only settling in the final panels as a club official approaches with the idea to hold the context on the spot they are now. The is a good week for the Tigers, and I enjoy the story, slight though it is, on these two pages. The slapstick isn't overdone, and Chunky's luck is more amusing than in previous weeks. Not my favorite, but a solid entry in this week's issue.  

 Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "I've caught something - and it isn't a cold. I've fished up a frogman who looks just like Burton..."

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin's Marvellous Mini is bookended by two action events that color the whole my whole impression of this week's story. Last week I commented that I hope we get more of the villains, and my wish is immediately granted as the men chasing the treasure ram George from the side before making off with the treasure map. However, the map they take is only for the already discovered jewels, and the two old ladies give Tiny and Martin the next part of the map which sends them off on a journey to Oslo. On the road to Hamburg we get the second major event as a helicopter with a flamethrower attacks them. This seems faintly ridiculous as I type it, but on the newsprint page, it is a dramatic event that casts the rest of the story in a new light. With a smashing start, and a hot ending, I forgive the mundane middle of the story, and the final image alone is enough for me to put my pocket money down for next week. 

 Rating: 7/10

Best line: "A helicopter with a flame-thrower!"

Skid Solo

Skid Solo is back in the UK this week and meeting with Terry Forwell, inventor of the river-skimmer. Asked to appear in an advertising campaign for it, Skid, Sparrow, and Sandy head to Scotland where they stay at Lord Bartingtons lochside castle. It is here that the story picks up steam, the team is interrupted during dinner with the news that the Bartington Stone has been stolen from inside the castle. The crooks fail to make a clean getaway, and Skid is soon in pursuit in the river skimmer. After being outmaneuvered on the water, the villains crash into the castle whereupon they are captured. The final twist comes as the advertising campaign appears, not with Skid, but rather with Lord Bartington singing the praises of the river-skimmer.  Although not on the race track, there is a lot to like about this issue. Of course, Sandy gets some great lines about Scotland, and the on-water action with Skid driving the skimmer is great. With a memorable location and a sense of history, the story appeals to me and having a jewel theft as the reason for the race action makes it all the more engaging. Not Skid at his best, but a fine issue indeed.       

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Ye watch yere tongue, ye young whipper-snapper! Ye're in the best country in the world, the noo!"   

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

It feels like the buildup for the fight between Johnny and the  Great Tovaritch has been going on for weeks, and this week it looks like we are just about to get the payoff. With Tovaritch storming into the gym where Johnny is training and dealing quickly with three other wrestlers in the ring, the scene is now set for the bout between Johnny and Tovaritch. At a first division ground, the crowds and the cameras are ready, and after an impressive arrival by Tovaritch and an equally impressive entrance by Johnny we are finally ready for the battle to commence In terms of action, not much happens this week, but we have now reached the point where the tension of the last few weeks can be released. I have been indulging myself in the artwork, and I know next week will be even better as we finally get the wrestling action I have been craving. Not the issue I had hoped for, but essential for the story, I found this built my anticipation nicely for the next issue.

Rating: 6/10

Best Line:  "This is a fight no one should miss. It's the fight of the century!"

Tallon Of the Track

We finally get the big reveal in Tallon Of the Track - Tallon is a girl. But before we get to that we have two pages of fast and furious race action as Tallon flies around the track, catching the other riders and then in a sensational piece of riding going past them. However, there is the small issue of ill-discipline, and Trent confronts Tallon, before ripping off her helmet and revealing her true identity. This is a great moment, and the highlight of this story so far. For weeks I have been talking up the artwork, but in this issue, we get a story that is it's equal, and with the on-track action just as spectacular it would easily be the story of the week, if not for Roy of The Rovers. With her identity now revealed, we can look forward to the story moving forward and hopefully plenty more race action like this issue. Superb throughout, and a must-read. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "Great suffering wildcats! You.. you're a girl!"

Football Family Robinson 

Football Family Robinson has had a great run recently, and although this week doesn't quite reach the previous highs, it is still most enjoyable. The pace slows this week, Alf is still struggling with Rodney Bull's mates threatening him, and although the family rallies around him, the next match is ugly with the fans giving him a tough time every chance they get. There is no action or drama in the story, it continues to build on what has come before in an unhurried way, the tension between the fans and the family the only true flash point.  I enjoy seeing my girl Viv give a spirited defense of Alf, but I am already thinking ahead to next week in the hope that we will get something more happening.             

Rating: 5.5/10

Best line:  "This is going to be one of the toughest matches we have ever played. We've got to beat eleven men - and the crowd!"  

A Horse Called Ugly

Joe and Ugly continue their South America adventure this week at the center of a missing person alarm. However,  Angela defuses the situation, heading off to where Joe and Ugly had made some friends the day before. Her hunch proves correct, and Joe is enjoying the company of a local lad called Beppo. It is a pleasant and relaxing breakfast scene, later interrupted by Brian Beacham of the showjumping team. In a frosty atmosphere, the story ends with one of the horses being startled by a fish, plunging into a thicket of brambles while Brian blames Beppo for the situation. The story is OK, but a horse falling into some brambles isn't enough action for my taste or a dramatic enough story. I want to like this story more, I like the characters, but I find I can never quite find the key that properly unlocks the story for me. Not bad, but not for me.   

 Rating: 4/10

Best line:  "So the message was true! Larcombe has decided to disgrace us all by living like a beastly Gypsy!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 8/10

Best Story: Roy Of The Rovers  

Best Line: Blackie - "Roy's been shot! "

Best Panel:

Tiger 20th October 1973

 Sunday is the best comic reading day. Ignore the specter of work the next day and lose ourselves in a world of larger-than-life characters and sporting triumph and disaster. With the Premier League over for another season, all I have is my pile of comics for the next ten weeks, so plenty of time to enjoy some sporting action that isn't quite so life and death.  

Tiger
20 October 1973

Tallon Of the Track

I was enthused by the first appearance of Tallon Of the Track last week but this week I came to the realization that it will take a few weeks for the story to find its feet and we are still very much at the introduction stage, we don't even know who Tallon is yet!  In this issue, the story continues to lay out its characters, and we see more of Trent as he pursues the mysterious Tallon for his team. After almost being run down by Tallon at the end of the last issue, this week he follows the trail to the abandoned airfield where Tallon lives.  Tallon threatens him, telling him they want to be left alone, but Trent explains himself and offers money for riding in a trial race next week. Come race day and there's no sign of Tallon, so Trent puts in a reserve, only for the late arrival of Tallon to put a spanner in the works, literally, and entering the race three seconds behind everyone else. There's not a lot of action in this issue, and with Tallon remaining a mystery to us, there isn't a character we can warm to. As always, the artwork remains strong and is the best part of the story this week. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line:  "Now sit there until you tell me who you are and what you want, mister. I'm the kind of person who likes to be left alone!"

Roy Of The Rovers

When we last left Jumbo Trudgeon in Roy Of The Rovers he was being heckled by the crowd and was about to be assaulted by an elderly gentleman for reasons unknown. Little more is revealed this week, and although Jumbo escapes unharmed, the continual anger from the crowd remains unexplained. All this off-field drama puts off Rovers from their natural game, and it is only the heroics of Charlie The Cat that save them from defeat, an 1-1 draw saving face but hardly of their high standard. Post-match Jumbo is about to explain more when he is interrupted that a group of people is vandalizing his car. The football action gives us some good panels, especially of Charlie Carter in action in goal, but most of the story is static with dialogue carrying the plot. Like the previous Tallon of the Track, we are deep in mystery and we will have to wait another week before more is revealed.  Good for selling next week's issue, but not so good for my patience. 

 Rating: 5/10

Best Line: "Big-headed Tudgeon - miss it! Miss it!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin's Marvellous Mini was the best story last issue, and although this week isn't as quite as good the story continues to move quickly along. With our heroes facing a gunman demanding the treasure map, options are limited, but with George on the scene, there is always an out. Gunning the engine, Matin accelerates in a shower of mud that leaves the villains blinded. Making good on their escape, Martin and Tiny head for London, and Tower Bridge where they surmise the treasure is hidden. After obtaining some scuba gear (apparently, they are already trained in how to use it) they explore the bottom of the Thames where they come across a box of gems, just as the map had shown. The final panel of the story sees greed in their eyes as the promise of more treasure lays ahead. I'm not in love with this story, once they defeat the gunman there is no further drama, and the treasure hunt seems all too easy. Without their mini Martin and Tiny aren't as interesting and one can only hope that next week we either get more of the villains, or more of George. Last week I rated this story highly, this week not so much.            

 Rating: 5/10

Best line: "Five thousand? And...and half is ours!"

Skid Solo

With North America conquered, Skid Solo and the gang are in Mexico for some much-deserved rest and relaxation. For Sandy, this means taking it easy and doing some fishing, for the ever-moving speed demons Skid and Sparrow it means taking to the lake in a speed boat and doing some water skiing. the story starts properly after Skid and Sparrow are seen water-skiing and are asked to join a ski race for charity. After agreeing, they both have second thoughts are seeing the promotion for it, and Sparrow in particular has a case of nerves, having only done it a couple of times before. However, he is saved when an unfortunate tumble down the stairs puts him out of commission, leading to poor old Sandy being roped in to take his place, As luck would have it, the race of called off for rough weather, leading to the punch line that this issue has been building to -  the alternative charity event is a fishing competition, which Sandy wins. The structure for this story is similar to last week, where the preceding pages are merely the maneuvering of props to deliver a punch line in the final panels. I am amused by it, but it does feel like a lot of work for little payoff. I know that there will be many more of these to come, but I look forward to the new race season starting and some Grand Prix action.       

Rating: 4.5/10

Best line:  "Och, steaming heaps 'o haggis! Hey, Skid...Sparrow.. come an' see this!" 

A Horse Called Ugly

I wasn't too fussed on  A Horse Called Ugly last week, but I find this week's story more to my taste.  In the last issue, Joe and Ugly arrived in South America but remained unhappy with their situation. This week things look up for the pair as they take a leisurely ride in the countryside with Angela. After rescuing a boy from the stream, Joe and Ugly are taken to a local village where they are cleaned up and given some local hospitality. As Joe says himself "These are his kind of people and mine!". Much happier, it is with heavy hearts that they return to their luxury accommodation. However, the next morning the team awakens to find both Joe and Ugly are missing, and assume that something terrible must have happened to them. The story is meandering this week, and after some action as Ugly and Joe plunge into the river, the rest of the panels are fairly mundane. The final couple of panels has me hoping that next week the story will sweep me up, but until then I'm rating this one low. 

 Rating: 4/10

Best line:  "Ugly, hang on to this. I haven't got enough strength!" 

Football Family Robinson 

Football Family Robinson was almost my favorite story last time out, and this week it maintains that high standard. I know I asked for more Viv, but I am more than happy as the story stays firmly focused on Alf and his problems with the law. After the police came across Alf crouching over Rodney Bull's unconscious body, things looked bad for Alf, and things don't improve as two witnesses give their statements. With the story breaking in the next day's paper, all the family can do is carry on with their training and work. Alf is questioned by a detective, but not taken in, which the team takes as a sign that there are other suspects, a fact confirmed when the detective reveals that Rodney Bull had many enemies. The story concludes just after this, as Alf is working on the building site as some of Rodney's friends ride last on bikes, throwing a brick through the window. The intrigue is continuing to build in this story, and the premise and delivery are great. This week is just as good as last time, and if it continues like this it may well be the first story I turn to next week.           

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "Have you come to arrest our Alf?"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

The Great Tovaritch continues to run amok in Johnny Cougar and after throwing Splash into the dessert table last week, confronts Johnny. Despite Johnny urging him to be calm, Tovaritch causes a scene in the restaurant before going outside where he promptly does further damage to a passing bus. At the promoter's office, he signs the contract to wrestle Johnny officially but is unhappy that Johnny's name is first on the document, leading to another moment of rage. The story ends with Tovaritch making his way to Johnny's gym to prove a point about his strength. This episode is all about demonstrating the rage and strength of Tovaritch. In a move straight out of the wrestling world, they are building him as a heel before we get the payoff at the main event. The restaurant scene and the promotors office shows this uncontained temper of huis, while the damage to the bus gives us some idea of the strength he possesses. This isn't my favorite story of the week, but I give credit to the team for building the character here that will no doubt pay off down the line.     

Rating: 5/10

Best Line:  "Me, I'd rather fight a herd of buffalo than that guy."

The Tigers

"Gritty Gherkins!" - when we last saw Chunky Clark in The Tigers he was adrift in a boat about to go over a weir. In some awesome angling action, Chunky tries to cast his way to safety, only to see his line break. It is then his rod that saves him as he uses to it brace himself between two rocks. It is in this precarious position that he is rescued by some other anglers in a boat, the very same anglers who had lost the small boat in which chunky now sits. He is well rewarded for his bravery, with the anglers funding new equipment for Chunky to use in the competition. We are then set up for the next issue with Ron in some scuba gear about to once again sabotage Chunky and his comrades. A good story this week, with a fine balance between action and plot. It is typical of Chunky to go from zero to hero and back again in a single issue, and it is no different here. However, there is no real peril in the final panels, and I expect we'll see Ron's dastardly scheme play out on the first page of next week. Not quite as good as the last issue, but enough that I'll be back  

 Rating: 5/10

Best line: "The only thing Chunky can catch is a cold!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 5/10

Best Story: Football Family Robinson 

Best Line: Chunky Clark - "I can't understand it. The grotty fish can't have read what's in my angling book. Maybe they're hibernating" "

Best Panel: