Tiger 2nd March 1974

I didn't update the blog last week. I had a couple of wisdom teeth removed and was under the weather for several days. It's hard to enjoy comics when you're feeling miserable and every time I opened a comic I was taken out of the moment by the constant painful reminder of what had happened in my mouth. But, I'm back on board this week and happy to report that once again I am ready to drift off into the world of Tiger for the next hour. Such welcome relief. 

Tiger

2nd March 1974

Roy Of The Rovers

An F.A. Cup tie with just a few minutes left on the clock and a penalty to be taken. Who better to take it than Roy himself. Thus we begin this week's Roy Of The Rovers story with Roy once again stepping up to the mark to save the day. I think Roy Of The Rovers is at its best when it sticks to pure football and all the drama I need is in these opening panels as Roy steps up to take the penalty. You can't beat the drama that is inherent in a game of football and as Roys's shot is blocked by the keeper I can't help but groan as if I was actually at the game. However, Roy always finds a way and with a diving header, he sends the ball into the back of the net for a victory. Phew! The rest of the story is devoted to the Rover's injuries worries and their harshest critic, George Slater, who still thinks they won't be able to achieve the double. With an ever-growing injury list it looks like he may well be right.  With a depleted team, Rovers take the field at Wembley for the league cup final, where they inevitably give away an early penalty. I feel like Rovers is my own team and I feel every injury on the pitch. My heart drops as they give away this early penalty, and by the end of this week's episode I know the writers have done a good job of keeping me engaged through the story. Perhaps some people want more than a football story, but this is the heart of Roy Of The Rovers, and I am well satisfied by what is laid out here.   

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "As of now, every one of my players is undergoing some kind of treatment! If you want them to play on Wednesday they'll have to do it one walking sticks!"

Skid Solo

Finally, Grand Prix season is upon us! After waiting several months we have arrived at the part of the Skid Solo stories I enjoy most, racing on the track. We are still in Australia, preparing for the first race of the season when Skid's car is dropped as it is unloaded from the ship. However, he is approached by a local designer who asks if he would be prepared to drive the car he has been building. After a fast and furious test drive, Skid agrees, and with four new tires, he prepares for the race. Sandy is aghast, and even more so when Skid tells him that if he goes well he will race it all season, he is that impressed with its speed. There is plenty to like through the story, and the sight of the Grand Prix cars appearing in the story as my heart fluttering from the start. The new car designer is an interesting-looking chap, and judging by how fast his car was during Skid's test drive we could well be in for a very interesting season. The artwork is sublime in its crisp clean lines, and it serves the build-up to the race well, presenting the story efficiently without clutter or drawing attention to itself. We are off to a good start for the race season and I look forward to next week when the flag finally drops on the first race. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "You're really going to drive that thing, Skid?"  

Martin's Marvellous Mini

I am disappointed from the start with this week's story. Not with the story itself, the artwork, or in fact any creative decision. I am disappointed that in the first panels we find the Loch Ness monster isn't real, no matter what Martin and Tiny think they saw last week. We soon learn that the monster is a hoax, helped in part by the two Americans that Tiny and Martin are racing against. These two take our heroes into their confidence and swear them to secrecy, the Loch Ness monster they saw is a mini-sub, designed to give kids rides during the summer months. Great idea, I must admit, but sadly my faith in the Loch Ness monster is shaken. First Santa, now this, how many more lies are waiting for me to uncover? The rest of the story unfolds easily enough, with the next leg of the rally beginning, and once again the weather is about to take a hand. We have had both flooding and snowing intervene so far, and this week it is the wind that upsets the race, as Martin and Tiny witness a large lorry being blown off the road. They stop to help, but the lorry driver is mostly concerned about his dog that is in the back, a plot point that we will have to wait until next week to be resolved. I like this story a lot, the Loch Ness section was a lot of fun, despite my disappointment, and the lorry blowing off the road looks suitably dramatic, as do our boys standing in the wind with collars turned up. Pretty to look at and pretty to read, once again this stays at the top of my reading pile. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "He..he's gone right off the road...and into that swamp!"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

A new Johnny Cougar story this week and after a sedate start, it quickly gets wild. As their ship cruises into Sydney harbour, Johnny and Splash look forward to some well-earned rest and relaxation. They soon get a rude awakening when they learn that Johnny has been signed up for a wrestling competition, and is facing an opponent called the Monster - a man so wild he is sleeping in a cage at the zoo so the public doesn't have to face him. He certainly lives up to his name from what we see of him on the page, but Johhny isn't one to take a backwards step for anyone, and the next day during his morning run he makes for the zoo, perhaps hoping to see this monster. In the last panel, we see that perhaps he will get his wish, and the monster awakens in his cage, disturbed that he has been awoken. Sure, we have seen Johnny fight wild men before, so this is par for the course, and this early encounter will give us a good idea of what is to come in future issues. The monster is well-designed, he looks like a man with enough wild features to carry justifying the monster tag he is given. It is very early days for this story, but given its location, and the look of Johnny's nemesis, it is shaping up well for what comes next. 

Rating: 5/10

Best Line:  "Pheeew...it's making this cat feel like an old man! I should have stayed in the hotel with the ice-chick!"

Football Family Robinson 

Two threads run constantly through this week's story. Digger is making save after save on the field, while Crash tries time and again to tell the family the result of his check-up - he's fit and ready to play. That is the entire story this week, and it's only in the final two panels that Crash is able to pass on the news of his results, and Ma realises they have a big problem - there isn't room for two goalkeepers. The on-field action looks great and is much more enjoyable than the panels of Crash trying to tell what has happened on his side. It is all important for what is coming but makes this issue a stepping stone rather than a vital moment in the ongoing story. Now that we have some clarity, I expect next week will give us much more to enjoy, but for now, this was a nice placeholder.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line:  "Ma, we've got a real problem on our hands!"

Tallon Of The Track

A holdall full of stolen jewels is pretty damning evidence against Dan Rowley, but full credit to Jo Tallon, she plays with an even hand and tells the others they have to speak to Dan to get his side of the story. Things escalate quickly after these opening panels, and using the jewels as bait, Jo and Dave hide in the dark overnight, waiting to see if Dan comes back for his bag. Someone does come for the jewels but it's not Dan, and Jo and Dave pursue a mysterious figure across the track before the vanishes. The story isn't done there, Jo sees a figure disappearing down a manhole and approaches, only to find him reappearing with a shotgun gun pointing directly at her and Dave. Of all the stories in Tiger, it is Jo Tallon who seems to find herself up against tough criminals the most, and even with a gun pointed at her, I have faith that she will triumph. This story has taken a turn, last week it certainly looked like Dan Rowley was the villain of the piece, but on the back of Jo's sense of justice the story has shifted and we are off into unexplored territory. No motorcycle action this week, but it hardly matters as there is plenty happening elsewhere to keep us enthralled, and this is another very strong episode from Tallon Of The Track and the story moves from simmer to boiling.  

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "I still can't believe he's a criminal, Dave!"

The Tigers

A vast improvement for The Tigers. With a soap box derby ahead of us, we have several amusing panels as Chunky Clark procures the equipment needed to build his cart, and as someone who in his youth spent many hours building carts myself, I can confirm that his cart looks pretty impressive. Equally impressive is Ron's cart, and soon enough we see them competing. It's never smooth running for Ron and Chunky, and Ron is quickly in the water, victim to his own team's shenanigans, with Chunky looking to follow shortly after as the story closes with a crash inevitable. The theme of this week's story speaks to me and my own childhood, and I am heartened to see the carts and racing that follows. The humour is gentle and not quite so slapstick, giving this week's strip a well-balanced feel and setting the tone for what I hope will be a worthy storyline. No complaints at all from my end, this isn't the best story in this week's issue, but it is solid enough and I enjoy it more than I expect. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Hurraaaaah, I've pipped him! I'm the mostest and fastest"

A Horse Called Ugly

With Joe and Ugly off to the rodeo, Carlos remains steadfast in his attempt to discredit both of them. It is a gentle approach to the rodeo, the first page showing Joe and Ugly arriving, and the posters proclaiming Joe as 'El Magnifico' for his role in saving Don Pedro. We return to Ugly's roots on the following page, and he and Joe give a display in showjumping, something we haven't seen for quite some time on these pages. With a gleeful Carlos looking on, Ugly refuses one of the jumps, leading to some in the crowd branding him a coward. Like the preceding "The Tigers" this is a gentle story, with a page of soft set-up, before we get to the action of the second page. The characters continue to develop, and as always, any panel with a close-up of a face is worth taking the time to admire. Not so much horse artwork this week, but there is enough meat in the story that I'm not too bothered. One feels next week things may come to a head, but for now, the story is building nicely and stays well-rounded.       

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "It is the great Joe! El Magnifico!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Skid Solo 

Best Line:  "Howling cats! It accelerates like a moon rocket!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 23rd February 1974

 The best thing about reading these old comics is discovering stories that I had previously overlooked. When I was younger I had no time at all for a Horse called Ugly, yet in the last few months I constantly find it to be one of my favorites. Growing up isn't all bad. I still appreciate Roy Of The Rovers, Skid Solo, and the other stories I remember so well, but these strips that I initially overlooked are new territory for me and proving just as worthy as the names I remember from my childhood. 

Tiger

23rd February 1974

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

Johnny Cougar's island adventure comes to an end this week as villains are vanquished, sharks fought off, and the groundwork is laid for the next week. This should have been dealt with last week, as Johnny Cougar had already defeated the criminal, but here he is once again putting his wrestling skills to good use and fighting for his life on the boat. He does have the upper hand earlier, throwing his opponent into the shark-infested waters, only to then help him from the water as a shark approaches. This is a mistake, and once again the fight is played out, this time with Johnny ending up in the water with the shark. The story moves rapidly though, and Johnny pulls himself from the water, defeats his foe and restores the nuclear weapon to the US military. He even gains the thanks of the US president, who passes on his appreciation through the military. With everything tied up with a bow, Johnny tells us his next adventure will be in Australia. The UK sure was obsessed with the sun and surf lifestyle that Australia offered at the time! The story has plenty of panels devoted to the return of the nuclear weapon, and the US military, but strangely enough, we never see Johnny say goodbye to the people of the island, nor the wrestler he was fighting before he rushed off to save Splash. Not quite every loose end is tied up in this respect. I find it puzzling, especially since Johnny fought Maurice twice in this issue, and once in the last issue, in a final showdown that could have easily been a panel or two shorter. However, that is neither here nor there, and I must admit that overall I found this story very good. It has kept me engaged since it began several months ago, and most of the issues were of a high standard. I now turn my eyes to Australia and the potential adventures that await Johnny and Splash there. 

Rating: 6/10

Best Line:  "Well, Daddy-O, you've done it again! The baddies have bit the dust and us goodies have triumphed!"

Tallon Of The Track

The story in Tallon Of The Track is moving rapidly this week, and a lot happens in the two pages it is given. Last week we saw bad boy Dan Rowley clash with Jo and the police. This week things escalate as he goes on the run, evading the police and their efforts to find him. Things are looking pretty grim for him, he is wanted in regard to information about a jewel theft and as his bag is discovered on the final page, full of jewels, the outlook is bleak. Building on last week's well-rounded introduction it is pleasing to see the story gather pace, and although we are still in the dark about a lot of things I can already see that I am well hooked. With questions to be answered there is a reason to turn every page and, of course, grab next week's issue. Jo isn't at the centre of the action yet, but she will be, and I'll be here to see it

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Stop that man! He's in big trouble!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

The dramatic finish of the last issue is quickly undone in the first panel, as Tiny's squirting of ink on his opponent's windscreen comes to nothing as they safely pull over. Immediately after we have a more sedate scene as they are required to do a snap braking and parking test. It's quaint to see Martin and George driving around the field, but the story picks up again with the arrival of the Americans and some talk of meeting with a mystery boss. The plot thickens indeed. On the banks of Loch Ness, Tiny and Martin see the Americans take to the water late at night, and discreetly follow in a row boat. However, they come unstuck by an unexpected appearance of the Loch Ness monster, and end the issue in the water and once again face peril. Although I was initially disappointed by how quickly the previous week's cliffhanger was defused, I am more than happy with the second page of the strip. I love a good mystery and that is what we have here. I also enjoy seeing Loch Ness, and as soon as I see it I am filled with memories of hiking around it when I had younger legs. The appearance of the Loch Ness monster doesn't feel weird at all, and I'm sure it is tied in with the Americans. Quite how, I'm not sure, but no doubt all will be revealed next week.   

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "We mustn't panic! Keep a stiff upper lip...stick together...and shout for help!"

Football Family Robinson 

Digger is the main character throughout The Football Family Robinson and has the best lines. We see him reunited with Bluey the kangaroo on the first page, as he calls him out of a mob of Kangaroo at Wonford Wildlife Park before he becomes central to the football action in the second half of the strip. With his missing kangaroo no longer on his mind, he plays a blinder, earning praise from the rest of the family. It is unfortunate that this praise is overheard by Crash, as he returns to the family having recovered from his injury. Football is once again the main focus of the story, and as much as I enjoyed the diversion that Bluey provided, I am pleased to see his part of the story put on the back burner. How much drama can be wrung out of a storyline about two goalkeepers competing for minutes remains to be seen, but it does signify a welcome shift in the story.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line:  "Bluey! Stop playing around and come 'ere, you ugly-faced drongo!"

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy Of The Rovers has a very relatable story this week. As they battle for the cup double they are besieged by injuries and are forced to field a second-string team for their league game. They lose this game and face an inquiry from the FA, but there is little time to dwell on that as they face Weston in a FA cup match. Tired and out on their feet, they struggle through the tie and are awarded a penalty in the dying minutes, a penalty Roy must convert to save their chances of doing the double. Fifty years later and we see teams still with the same scheduling problems and injury woes. This realism is what attracts me to Roy Of The Rovers, and this storyline is highly believable. It may not have the high drama of some of the other stories in Tiger, but it's a drama rooted in the real world and familiar to all football fans. The story has nothing new to say, but it speaks well. 

Rating: 6/10

Best Line: "Roy, I thought this was supposed to be an easy game! I'm almost out on my feet!"

A Horse Called Ugly

I have probably said it a dozen times over the last few months, but the artwork in A Horse Called Ugly steals the show every time. No matter what happens in the plot, it is always elevated by the art, and especially any panel with Ugly in action. This week is no exception, with Ugly and Joe fighting for their lives in a field against the raging bull, Mephisto. This provides some memorable images, non more so than when Ugly jumps over the bull. They are saved by the appearance of a cow that immediately attracts Mephisto's attention. No man, or bull, is a match for a pretty girl. Ugly and Joe may be safe for now, but next week they will face new danger and Don Pedro's son plots his revenge for the rodeo. The plot is thin this week, they escape the bull and groundwork laid for next week, yet I found myself enjoying it immensely and once again I am surprised by my continued appreciation of this strip.      

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "It's the only way to pacify a bull...just show him a cow!" 

Skid Solo

Australia is again at the front of the writers' minds, as Skid Solo and Sparrow enjoy some good old Aussie surfing action. It's a little too dangerous for Sparrow though, still recovering from last week's crash, so Skid takes him out to a sheep station and old gold mine. The story accelerates at this point, and from here on in I am pressed back in my seat by the nonstop action. Skid passes comment on a distant bushfire as they drive to the sheep station, and this will become a major factor in a couple of pages' time. Skid's Australian friend Waller shows them the abandoned gold mine, only for the cage he is standing in to snap free and disappear into the mine shaft. While Sandy stays with Waller, Skid and Sparrow drive to fetch help, only to find themselves confronted by the raging bush fire. Covering themselves in wet blankets, they take a desperate drive through the fire to fetch help. With a helicopter summoned, and Waller rescued - suffering a broken leg and concussion, Sparrow can once again go surfing - a much safer pastime. This is a highly dramatic story and contained some great images that serve the story well. I often rate Skid Solo's story highly, and this one contains all the elements I enjoy; Skid driving at his best, some near-death action, beautiful artwork, and economy of storytelling. There is no fat on this story, but it doesn't feel rushed or hurried, and I never once feel shortchanged across its three pages. We're still not on the race track, but this story is just as good as any Grand Prix storyline.  

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "It's that bush fire Waller was talking about. It's a lot nearer now!"  

The Tigers

A new storyline for The Tigers. as the initiative race is now over. It's not immediately apparent where we'll go next, and the first page of the story treads water as Chunky fixes the fence before he takes off with his friends to fetch more wood. A new direction comes into focus at this point as he comes into conflict with Ron Burton. Ron makes good his escape on an old pram, as Chunky follows him downhill on his cart. As chance would have it, the two youth club organises are looking for fresh ideas for a challenge and seeing Ron and Chunky careening downhill gives them a fresh idea - a soap box derby. Plenty of potential for high jinks one would think, but that lies ahead of us as this week's issue wraps up. Not a lot happened in this week's issue of The Tigers, but I have positive feelings about the coming weeks, Whether or not this will be borne out remains to be seen, I guess I'll just have to come back and read the next issue. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "We need something competitive for the lads...but I'm right out of ideas."

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Skid Solo 

Best Line:  "The Loch Ness Monster!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 16th February 1974

Looking at the front cover of this week's Tiger, and it's a cracker. With the image of a race car flying off the track, we are looking at a strong issue from the start. Last week we saw several stories reaching their conclusions, with Tallon of the Track starting a new story this week, and Roy of the Rovers seemingly nearing the end of the Geoff Giles storyline, this issue is a transition point for many plot lines.  

Tiger

16th February 1974

Skid Solo

Skid Solo is chock full of striking images, and there are already several contenders for best panel on these first three pages alone. The story also catches my attention as Skid isn't the main character this week and we instead focus on Sparrow Smith. From the first page we are deep into the story, racing in Australia Sparrow has almost a lap lead before he crashes through a barrier. This first page not only shows Sparrow crashing off that track but also the reaction of the race commentator and he is caught with a great expression on his face as Sparrow crashes, capturing the intensity of the moment perfectly. Over the page, Sparrow surveys the crashed vehicle before climbing back in to win the race. This leads to another great panel as we have a pair of images of Sparrow firstly being presented the cup, and then next being presented some medication from a doctor, There is a nice symmetry to it, and I am pleased to see it on the page. The story becomes more involved at this point as Skid tells Sparrow that he didn't finish the race, and has a concussion, despite the protestations of Sparrow. Not believing Skid, he slips out of the hospital at night and goes to the track (lucky it's so close) where he sees for himself his crashed vehicle still beside the track. Skid was right, he does have a heavy concussion and he didn't finish the race. Back in bed, we see that Skid has followed him, just to keep an eye on him. A tidy story, and one that is greatly elevated by the art. While not peak Skid Solo, as a one-off it is superb, and one that will stick in my mind for some time. It's made all the better by the cover, and this is one that I highly recommend.    

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "But...there's nothing wrong with me. I won the race. I wasn't injured... I pushed the car back and went on to win..." 

Roy Of The Rovers

This week we wrap up the storyline featuring Geoff Giles and his disciplinary woes. With the hearing interrupted by Ivor T. Winthrop, it remains to be seen how Geoff can get himself out of trouble, but fortunately, the hearing is made up of some understanding fellows who are only too happy to indulge Ivor T. Winthrop and watch his film of the incident. From here things come to a natural conclusion quickly, Geoff is proven innocent and cleared to play against Carford in the second league. The story writes itself, Rovers win the return leg 2-0, with both Geoff and Roy scoring goals. With the final next, the double is still on, although the final panel has Geoff worried about the fatigue that is beginning to show in his players. The story was good enough, but it pales in comparison with the previous Skid Solo story. There is none of the striking artwork that we saw in that first story, and the story itself seemed to sag once Geoff was free, from that point we always knew what the outcome of the match would be. I still enjoyed it, but it just wasn't as good as Skid Solo before it. 

Rating: 6/10

Best Line: "We've done it..we're in the final! We're going to Wembley!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

With no fuel in the tank, George is pushed over the finish line at which point the boys are told they are currently in third position. With an eight-thirty start in the morning, it's time for them to get a good night's sleep. Tiny and Martin certainly are lucky, they always seem to find comfortable lodging no matter where they go, and in this case, they are served a tasty meal and a nice pot of tea. This one panel alone lifts my spirits and I don't care for any of the drama that may follow, I just want to be there with them drinking tea and enjoying some homely comforts. But the drama does catch up with them, even here, as they receive a threatening note under the door from the two Americans leading the race, telling them to slow down or face the consequences. Just like all the villains in Hollywood films are British, all the villains in English comics are Americans, and the two that Tiny and Martin are up against fit the stereotype - loud, brash, and driving powerful-looking muscle cars. This brings us back to the race, and Tiny is ready for anything and has a few tricks of his own. As the Americans power past them in the mountains, Tiny squirts ink over their windshields, much to the horror of Martin who thinks he has gone too far. I enjoy these two panels, especially Martin's use of "Howling cats" as an expletive. Once again, the art looks highly polished and the colour adds to the overall feel of the strip. The scene of them enjoying their pot of tea earlier on may be my favourite, but the race action looks stunning, and once again the story keeps me hanging on and wanting to see next week's edition immediately. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Howling cats, Tiny...what's this stuff?"

The Tigers

Also in peril around the mountains is Chunky Clark in The Tigers. With the initiative race reaching its climax, this issue is focussed on the donkey race over the mountain between Chunky and Ron. Both donkeys perform well on the narrow tracks, and as both donkeys increase speed, all Ron can do is hang on for dear life, while Chunky seems to relish the speed and danger. In a neck and neck finish, it is Chunky that clinches the win. The racing action is very good, and even the humour seems to serve the race, rather than derailing it or standing alone. The story is as much about the donkeys as the two boys, and both look great in various panels as they strike suitable racing poses. There is also a reference to a Horse called Ugly, which I enjoy, and places The Tigers into a wider world.  Next week promises some fencing action, but not the sport, so it will be interesting to see where we go from here now that the initiative race is over. It's been an enjoyable romp, and we shall have to see if the next story keeps up this run of form. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Chunky- please! Go slower! I've always liked you...I just keep it hidden!"

Football Family Robinson 

After the first few panels deal with the case of the missing Kangaroo, the rest of The Football Family Robinson is given over to their current match against Wonford. This week begins with Viv calling back the Duke to apologise and he invites the family to come and collect Bluey. With that dealt with, it's all about Wonford vs Thatchem. With two quick goals, the family is soon in control, and we get plenty of coverage showing the substitute keeper making some dynamic and timely saves. With the result in the bag, the family are off to collect Bluey from Wonford Wildlife Park.  Everything seemed to happen quickly this week, and there is no time to linger on any part of the story, The highlight must be Alf in goal, and the panels of him diving to save the ball are among the best. For once the characters aren't to the fore and it really is about the action, adding some variety to a strip that often focuses on people rather than action.  

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Don't dribble it, Alf. Remember you can use your hands now you are in goal!"

A Horse Called Ugly

Mephisto the bull is on the loose, but it's not Joe and Ugly who are in danger, but rather Sancho and Don Pedro who are in the firing line as they fall from their horses. Like so many of the strips in this week's comic, the artwork is superb - be it the horses and bull in the paddock, or the panicked expressions on the faces of those involved. The story doesn't evolve much beyond the bull in the paddock, with Joe and Ugly holding him off until help can arrive, that is until Joe takes a tumble and finds himself facing the bull alone. A lot to like here, and even though we haven't progressed very far, every panel on the page is essential. I find myself rereading it several times before moving on, and the strip stands strong in an issue packed with great stories. Me and a horse comic, who knew one day we would fall in love.    

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "It's Mephisto...the most savage bull on my ranch!" 

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

Johnny Cougar was in the thick of the action last week, and this week it is more of the same as Johnny and Splash are still in the water facing their foes. They have already survived being run down by the boat several times, but that doesn't deter the villains from trying again. This time though, Johhny is on the war path and foils their attempt by snarling up the propeller with a length of robe. Now immobile, we see Johhny use his wrestling skills, climbing aboard and knocking them both out. This looks like the happy ending we have been waiting for, but the story isn't done with us just yet, and one of the crooks regains consciousness and knocks out Johhny before pulling a pistol on our two heroes.  This story doesn't reach the heights of the previous episode, but it keeps the story moving forward, and does tidy up from the last issue. As much as I like the story, I feel a little cheated by the false ending. With the crook pulling a gun, it does feel like the story is being unnecessarily stretched out, but I can't complain too much as everything has been great up to this point. It remains to be seen if next week will be the finale, and all I can guarantee is that I'll be here to find out. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best Line:  "Hookhaaaay! Treacherous dogs!"

Tallon Of The Track

It's hard to imagine that Tallon Of The Track will match the previous story as we embark on a new adventure this week. Things start sedately enough, a practice ride by the Ospreys, and one rider is not performing up to standard. Dan Rowley is a rider with potential but rides with no heart. His bad attitude certainly does him no favours, and he rebels against both Jo and Dave. The story kicks off in the second half has the police arrive to have a word with Rowley, only for him to punch one of them before taking off on his bike, No doubt, in the coming weeks we'll find out his problems in detail, but for now, this is a promising start. Jo is one tough character, and coming into conflict with a difficult rider will provide plenty of sparks. With him already on the run from the police, I can anticipate the action that might be in store. A solid start, we'll have to see how the story will develop from here. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line:  "Oh yes, you are, chum! Now do as Jo says and start riding! Four timed laps- at speed!"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Skid Solo 

Best Line:  "Oh, no! He's gone off the track! He's out of control!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 9th February 1974

Several stories are reaching boiling point, and this weeks issue of Tiger from early 1974 is shaping up to be a cracker.  This is an issue firing on all cylinders, and I can't wait to lose myself in its pages for the next half hour and enjoy the ride with my favourite characters. 

Tiger

9th February 1974

Roy Of The Rovers

The cover sets the scene of where we are with the current Rovers story. Once again Giles is in the thick of the action, with a rough-looking tackle just inside the penalty area the focus of the cover art. I am relieved for Giles, and for the plot, that the penalty isn't given and play resumes. Giles makes good on his near miss and scores two goals, the second a cracker before the game ends with a goal from Roy and the story settles down. We face the disciplinary hearing with Geoff and it doesn't look good. It gets considerably worst with the appearance of Rover's number one fan,  Ivor T. Winthrop. However, he once again claims he can prove Geoff's innocence and it is with this thought that the strip ends. A nice start to Tiger comic and the cover art in colour of football action is always going to be a huge positive. Likewise, most of the story took place on the field this week, and as I say almost every week, Roy Of The Rovers is always at its best when it concentrates on football. Plenty of positives throughout, and now we are reaching some sort of conclusion with Geoff Giles, making for a solid issue and considerably better than last week. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "Goooaaaal! A beauty, Roy! He read that pass from Geoff perfectly!"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

There was a lack of action in last week's issue, but it is more than made up for in this week's issue which features action aplenty. Almost every panel has something happening, and the story motors along quickly. You may remember, last week Splash was tired up and thrown overboard, this week it's  Johnny to the rescue as he arrives at the scene, jumps overboard and rescues Splash from a watery grave. However, things don't end there, as the villains return, running over Johnny's boat and sending the pair back into the water, They attempt at running them over again, a fate that Johnny and Splash avoid by diving under the boat. We end the story with Johnny and Splash still in the water and the villains once prepare to run them down. Drama, drama, drama, and all of it expertly captured by the artist. We are far from the wrestling ring now, but Johnny is offering up plenty of thrills and non-stop action. I'm breathless just from reading it, and you can take that as a great recommendation. 

Rating: 8/10

Best Line:  "In you go... Penguin say "we untie you and soon you be good as new!""

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Another week of ups and downs for Tiny and Martin this week, and we go from high drama to the mundane through the story. A gunshot and a bullet through the windscreen was the exclamation point on last week's issue, and this week we find that the shot in question came from a gentleman whose land they are trespassing on. Not that he was shooting at them for trespassing, but rather that he was a bad shot. In fact, it turns out that he's not much good at anything and after a hair-raising ride in his Range Rover, that culminates in his hitting the gate post, they find themselves treated to lunch at a manor house, before they are given access to a private road that comes out just five miles from Carlise. It is not all easygoing for the boys, it is soon after that they run out of petrol. From the near-death experience of being shot at, it is something as simple as running out o fuel that details their rally chances. I enjoyed this issue enormously, the expressions on their faces throughout were brilliant, as was the incompetent landowner whose path they crossed. The drama was good, and the story was well-paced, but it was the art that I devoured in detail throughout. Once again, top notch throughout and is a worthy read. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "I say...I am sorry. I thought you were a rabbit or something! Warbles...take their car and get a new windscreen put in..."

Skid Solo

It is a feel-good Skid Solo story this week, and despite being light on motoring action, I enjoy it a lot. Skid finds himself still in the snowy countryside, where he promises his friends some racing action. It turns out the racing he has in mind isn't racing cars, rather it is yachting on ice. Truly, Skid Solo can drive anything. Unfortunately, his fun on the ice ends with a blizzard, and the local doctor heading off to an emergency case. Speed matters, and once again Skid takes a hand, sailing the good doctor on the ice yacht along the river to the hospital. Par for the course so far, and with a dramatic jump over the bank and along the frozen ground, Skid gets his man to the hospital on time. He is amply rewarded, the doctor has delivered an emergency baby who is duly named Skid Sparrow House - quite a name as Sparrow Smith points out. A nice tale, and seeing Skid speeding around on an ice yacht was quite a sight. The scenes where it is snowing are suitably dramatic, as are the stern looks on the faces of the participants. We are still far from the racing action on track that I love so much, but this is a solid story well told, with dynamic art that captures the mood of the story well.  

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Great snakes, Skid...I wouldn't try that by myself!" 

The Tigers

I find that The Tigers is up and down for me, and this week is certainly an up episode as Chunky rides his donkey over Sugarbread hill. We have some good humourous activity early on as Chunky does his best to get his donkey moving, first with a carrot, then with a pebble, as a bike tyre exploding propels his donkey into the race. The second half of the story is more settled and well-paced, as we see Chunky and Burton negotiate themselves around the narrow paths of the hill. It looks superbly drawn, last week I was quite taken by a drawing of Chunky driving a donkey cart, this week it is the image of him and Burton on their respective donkeys that sticks firmly in my mind. A vast improvement on last week's issue, and suddenly I find I'm a fan of this strip again., Who knows what next week will hold, one can only hope it's as good as this, 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Not seeing where you're going could put a nervous chap off his appetite. I'm not sure if this sandwich is cheese or ham."

Football Family Robinson 

We join the football family Robinson mid-game and Digger in goal is a disaster. With his mind still on his missing kangaroo, he lets in a goal and then is subbed off. While on the sub bench Viv comments that's the hoax sightings of Bluey that annoy her most and she mentions the call from the Duke of Wonford. It is then that she discovers he is a real person, and she is horrified by what she has done when she told the caller to get lost. A short episode of the family this week, but the story constantly moves forward. As always, Viv remains my firm favourite, and she sparkles in every panel she is on - which is most of the second half of the story. We are edging closer to Bluey being found, but the story continues to weave and wind its way while retaining interest mostly due to the cast of characters on the page. I rate this one highly, both for the appearances of Viv and the plot.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Oh, my goodness!"

Tallon Of The Track

Tallon Of The Track has had a superb run the last few weeks, and that hot streak continues through to this week's issue. It's drama from the word go, and if the art doesn't deliver the sense of drama, then the captions certainly do. They add a lot to the first page of the story and complement the art well with phrases such as "Rolling wildly on the shale, Jo felt waves of heat press in on her from all sides" and "Beyond the roaring flames, a panic-stricken track marshal yelled instructions.." It all heightens what is already apparent on the page, Jo is in big trouble. Her leathers on fire, and surrounded by flames, there seems little chance for her. That is until Dave appears from the crowd and rushes to the track. Grabbing a bike, he speeds into the flames, rescuing Jo and conquering his fear of the track. With his confidence restored, there is little more to tell of this tale. The Ospreys win, Jo is safe, Dave is back in the fold, and we are all looking forward to a new story next week. This story has been my favourite for weeks now, and it has a suitable ending that rounds out the story well and leaves me completely satisfied. The plot was great, the artwork divine, and all in all, I couldn't ask for more. If future stories reach this level, we are in for a treat over the coming months. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "Just give me that bike! Now!"

A Horse Called Ugly

It all happens in the back end of a Horse Called Ugly this week. After being reunited with Ugly, Joe continues to enjoy the hospitality of  Don Pedro De Maquela Y Granadoulos. The only problem is the nagging suspicion of his intentions, and on the final page, we get the twist that will propel us into next week as a bull is released into the field where Joe and Ugly are. Although not a lot happened, the slower pace worked well, especially coming after Tallon Of The Track where loads happened. I did like the name of the bull "Mephisto," even though the reference would have gone completely over my head as an eight-year-old. Not the best story in this week's issue of Tiger, but a smooth comedown after an intense ride in places, and well placed at the end of the comic.  

Rating: 5.5/10

Best line:  "Out you come, Mephisto...this is going to be fun!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7.5/10

Best Story: Tallon Of The Track 

Best Line:  "Why should it be my job to check the petrol? I thought you did that!"

Best Panel: