Tiger 14th December 1974

Christmas is fast approaching with today's issue of Tiger dated 14th December 1974. The characters on the pages of the comic are blissfully unaware of the fact, and thankfully there has been not a single mention of  Christmas so far. That will change next week as no doubt every story will lean towards the festive season, but for now there is plenty happening in each story and there is not a moments thought of Christmas. 

Tiger
14th December 1974

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy is back on the front cover and we are back to the league as Melchester Rovers take on Kingstown. 

The excitement of the front cover as Roy crosses the ball gives way to dismay over the page as Jumbo Trudgeon takes a nasty boot to the head. Forced to leave the field, he is replaced by the young Dave Shaw. Shaw finds the faster pace of league football too much and by the end of the game, it is clear that he won't work out as a long-term replacement. 

New scout Archie Miller is sure he has the answer to Rover's problems, and he takes Roy out to see a potential replacement. Roy is surprised when they arrive at a circus tent, and further surprised when Archie points out his player - the juggler Sammy Spangler.

I was totally on board, right up until the point when the juggler appeared. Injury problems and the frustrations of trying to find replacements are familiar to most football fans and I was entirely sympathetic to Roy's plight. But quite how Archie Miller found a potential replacement at a circus boggles my mind, and not in a good way. Pulling players from unusual backgrounds is par for the course, so this should be an appealing storyline. My issue is that last issue we saw Archie Miller working as a manager, and I find it hard to believe that he has been at the circus scouting for players. I want to like it, all the pieces are in place, yet this final panel has me walking away from the story with a bad feeling. Could have done better, but fell short at the finish. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "Sorry, Roy.... everything's happening so fast! You...you all seem to be thinking ahead of me!" 

Skid Solo

Christmas is rapidly approaching, as is the snowy weather in this week's Skid Solo. Keen to get some tire testing in before the weather breaks, Skid and his team arrive at the track, only to find a sports car already out on the circuit. 

Not only is the sports car trespassing but it is also being poorly driven. Ignoring Sandy's attempt to flag him down, he drives off the circuit and away before anyone can stop him. However, the quick-thinking Sandy manages to get his number plate as Skid continues his test. 

The test goes well, and Skid decides that he will write a positive report when they get home. As he finishes his report Sandy makes a call to the local police and gains the address of the driver of the mystery car. 

Heading off to post the report, Skid and Sandy drop by the address given by the policeman. It is here that they meet a middle-aged couple who tell him that it is their son John who owns the sports car. He is crazy about driving and even as they speak he is once again at the track in his car.

Racing back to the track, Skid arrives just as John spins his sports car off the track. The car is wrecked, and John has suffered a broken arm. Dropping him home to his parents, Skid delivers a warning about trespassing and being a responsible motorist. The strip ends with Sandy, Sparrow and Skid all reflecting on what has happened, and how it is experience that makes a driver. 

Not my favourite type of Skid Solo story, but a nice off-season winter storyline. Nothing too taxing on the page here, just the warmth of the characters and their easy friendship. I did enjoy the parents' appearance in the strip, the best panels in the story revolved around them, and they brought an authentic slice of life to the highspeed world of Skid Solo. Likable, and forgettable in equal measure, this left me feeling a lot happier than the previous Roy Of The Rovers story. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "His mother said it took him three years to save up for that car. At times, gaining experience can be a costly business!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

A spectacular start to the strip sees George the mini upside down as it launches off the ramp. The following panel emphasises this stunt, with both Tiny and Martin upside down, along with all their dialogue. 

One safe landing later, and the race is on to catch Mister Eazzi, the circus boss who has absconded with all the money. A high-speed chase sees them catch up with the quarry just as he boards a launch to make his escape. Acting quickly Tiny and Martin tie the boat to their car. This temporarily stops Mister Eazzie, but he cuts the robe and now free from towing duties George topples off the edge of the wharf and into the water below.

Some eye-catching panels on the first page set a standard that the rest of this week's strip never quite reached. The first image of George upside down looked fantastic, and the clever follow-up panel of Tiny and Martin upside down matched it for interest. However, once we got over the page my interest waned as it became a standard car chase, and not a particularly good one at that. The sight of George trying to pull the boat back failed to ignite my interest, and it was only in the final panel as George threatened to fall into the water that I was again engaged in the story. Just in time, some might say. Spectacular art couldn't hide the fact that this is a storyline seemingly going nowhere fast. A brief set-up last week, a chase this week, and by the end of the next issue I expect this to be resolved and we will be looking forward to the next adventure. This is lukewarm at the moment, but as a long-time fan of Martin's Marvellous Mini, I know that it will heat up again soon. 

Rating: 5.5/10

Best line:  "Phew! Good job they don't build solid fences out here!"

Billy's Boots

While out cycling last week, Billy met a man who taught him one of Dead-shot Keen's ball control tricks. 

Enthusiastic to try out the trick himself, Billy practises in his Gran's lounge, only for the rug to slip under his feet and send a vase and side table flying. Once again in trouble with his Gran, Billy can only hope the trick works better when he's wearing the old boots. 

Still out of the school team due to his bruised leg, Billy still attends their next game. The ground is muddy, and not wanting to risk a slip Billy puts on his old boots to help him get a firm grip. Groundwood scores first, and as the ball is kicked back it rolls Billy's way. Despite the referee asking for the ball to be kicked back, Billy instead dribbles it, controlled by the boots of course, and does the trick he has recently learnt as he extravagantly dribbles around the referee.

The referee is not amused, and neither is the Groundwood sports master who promptly sends Billy back to the classroom where he will be dealt with later. Poor Billy can only trudge away, worried about what fate is to befall him. 

Billy just can't catch a break, and even when injured he still finds the boots getting him in trouble. The story took a while to get into its groove this week, and the first half page was Billy still trying to get home from his cycling trip. This meant most of the heavy lifting was done in the second half of the issue as Billy first tried the trick at home, and then later at the sports field. These parts of the story were enjoyable and more than made up for the languid start. I left with a positive feeling about the story overall, and although Billy is facing more trouble next week, this is exactly the hook I need to bring me back. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "What on Earth are you doing? For goodness sake, Billy...I've told you before, not to football in the house!"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

It's tied at a pinfall each in Johnny Cougar's match against The Cowboy. There is still some trash-talking, and the first panels emphasise this niggle between the two combatants as Johnny ignores The Cowboy's words and delivers a series of heavy blows.

The Cowboy responds with some dirty tricks, but Johnny has seen it all before and some fast-moving high-flying action soon sees The Cowboy in a prone position as Johnny locks him into a submission hold. 

It's enough to win the contest, and the strip ends with Splash congratulating Johnny on top of the league while warning him that his next opponent could be his toughest ever. 

Nothing groundbreaking here, but I loved it for what it was - in-ring wrestling with no distractions and no extra storylines. It is easy to want more from the strip, yet this is what it does best and what lays at the core of all stories -  a simple matman trying to make his way in the world. Johnny's opponent, The Cowboy, was never the most compelling character and the best thing about him was he never strayed too far from wrestling. Even when he fought dirty it was one might expect from any wrestler, a stiff punch rather than a wild plot line involving poison or guns. A wrestling story about a wrestler who wrestles. Sometimes the simple things are the best.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "He's going for a surfboard! That's a submission hold!"

Nipper

The more things change the more they stay the same, and we begin this week's Nipper story with Andy Stewart fuming at Nipper. Nipper is distraught that the English selectors are looking like they might leave, but there's no sympathy from Andy Stewart who makes it quite clear that it is Nipper's own fault.

However angry Andy Stewart may be, he still tells Nipper that he will sub him into the game. With Blackport scoring while Nipper is changing it looks like he will have to wait a while for his chance, but an injury to Mike Beatson swings the situation to Nipper's favour and he's soon running onto the pitch.

A sly wink from Mike as Nipper comes on suggests he's not as injured as he makes out. The rest of the story is all about Nipper as he is all over the pitch, energising the team with his enthusiasm. A lobbed goal by Nipper is richly deserved, but Nipper is horrified to look at the stands and see that the English selectors have indeed left the stadium. 

All the key ingredients are here for a good Nipper story. Nothing beats an angry Andy Stewart while Nipper is on the field scoring goals and pulling off audacious moves. We also got an insight into the friendship between Nipper and Mike Beatson, and the wink that Mike gave Nipper as he came on was worth a thousand words. Beautifully done, and something that comics do so well, a simple movement in a panel expressing more than words can say. While I'm not enthralled by this English Selectors storyline, I still appreciate what we have here, and it is because all the key ingredients are on the page, no matter the situation. I would be happy with any story as long as we get the required football action, the friendship with Mike and Nipper, and a few good panels of an angry Andy Stewart.

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Yahoooo! That's the stuff Blackport! You've got 'em now! Stick another one in the lobster-pot and they'll be finished!"

Tallon Of The Track

We are still in Russia, where David Trent's hand has been injured by a strong handshake from the Soviet captain, Vladmar Debenko. With his hand feeling like putty, Dave is unable to ride and Jo sends a reserve to race in his place.

The first race against the Ukrainian Bears does not go well, although the Ospreys do start strongly. They have a slim lead, but later in the race, Vladmar Debenko pushes his way through between the two Ospreys riders, sending them tumbling into a crash. 

After the race, Jo complains to the officials, but they refuse to enter into any discussion about the incident. Jo is fuming, and as Debrenko approaches she threatens that she will wipe the smile right off his face in the next couple of hours. 

Plenty of seething rage from Jo in this issue, and it's all the better for it. After meandering for a few weeks, it finally feels like we are on firm ground with this story. It has become focussed, and once again returned to what it does best with the Ospreys on track, driven hard by the tempesturous Jo. We even got a crash which always goes down well in Tallon Of The Track. A sharper story coupled with fine artwork and suddenly I'm feeling a lot more positive about the Ospreys' trip to Russia. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "I think Debenko rode through like a human bull-dozer...so this is where I lodge a complaint!"

Hot-shot Hamish

After failing to win their first four matches, Princes Park has come back from two nil down to win their fifth game. However, it has come at a heavy price as we begin this issue with Hamish being stretched off and taken to the hospital. 

Things aren't as bad as they initially seem, and Hamish is simply suffering from exhaustion. Twenty-four hours of rest at the hospital is all he needs, and he'll soon be back on his feet. 

The children at the hospital are delighted to have Hamish with them, and he entertains them with some of his football skills, culminating with the hot-shot which unfortunately catches the coach Mr McBrain full in the face. While McBrain is stunned and hurt, Mr McWhacker is delighted to see Hamish almost back to full fitness, and just in time too with their return match against the Spanish team in the European game scheduled for Wednesday. 

There is one more thread to the plot, as Hamish spends time in the children's ward he finds that not all of them will be able to see his game on Wednesday, with the TV too small for them all to view. Being a kind gentle giant, he pays a visit to the TV store where he buys the largest he can find for the children. With his good deed down, he arrives at the ground determined to deliver a win for the children watching from the hospital. 

What a beautiful feel-good episode. No football, but we did get the hot-shot and some gentle comedy to go with it. While not as standout as last week's episode, this was a strong follow-up that demonstrated the other side of a hot-shot Hamish story away from the football field. A nice insight into the well-rounded character of Hamish, and as I read here I couldn't help but think what a great job the writer has done of making Hamish a well-developed character. With his comedy and hot-shot on the field, it would be very easy for him to become a two-dimensional character, but throughout the story, we get little insights into the man and his family and this fleshes him out more than many of the other characters elsewhere in Tiger comic. You can't help but love Hamish, and although I don't rate this issue as highly as last week, I love this story just as much.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Send that telly up to the Children's ward at yon hospital, mister! They've got a wee bitty one that's no good at all! I'll pay..."

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Hot-shot Hamish  

Best Line: "No way! My hand is so numb, it feels like a lump of putty!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz:

Tiger 7th December 1974

I'm a day late this week. My birthday party on Saturday night knocked the stuffing out of me for a bit, and yesterday I could barely look at a comic, let alone a computer screen. Energy levels are a little better today, and with an enticing cover, this Tiger has me eager to digest its contents. 

Tiger
7th December 1974

Billy's Boots

A nice touch of everyday life on the cover as Billy Dane, unable to play due to injury, practices football in his yard, and accidentally heads the ball into his Grans clean washing still on the line. 

Suitability told off by his Gran, our young hero sets off to the Groundwood Town's stadium to see if he can further treatment from the trainer there.

This turns out rather well for Billy, and he receives treatment, and some time under the heat lamp. Told that he can do light training, Billy sets off hopeful that he will be cleared to play on Saturday.

Reading his book about Deadshot Keen, Billy has the idea to train on a bike, just like Dead-shot Keen used to. It is on the bike that he meets a man who has some old footage of Dead-shot Keen playing. Billy is overjoyed when he is offered a chance to watch it, and he becomes even more enthusiastic when he sees a move that Dead-shot Keen performs. Thinking that he could possibly learn the move himself we finish with a happy Billy excited for the future. 

Nice to see the lad smiling for a change. After several weeks of misery, Billy has finally found his mojo and things are looking up. Sure, it won't last, but let's enjoy it while we can. A soft read, I enjoyed the familiarity of it all, especially the cover of Billy playing at home. There wasn't a lot of drama, and the story moved slowly, yet this is exactly what I want from Billy's Boots. There is fast-paced action to come later in the comic, and with its fine artwork and relatable story, Billy's Boots gets us off to a perfect start.

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Billy! What on earth do you think you are doing? Just look at that sheet! It was clean!"

Johnny Cougar and Splash Gorton

It's Johnny Cougar versus the Cowboy as this week's wrestling story begins. The opening dialogue is all about Cowboys and Indians, and very much of its time, before the fight starts with a forearm smash from the Cowboy.

From here gloves are off, as the Johnny Cougar begins to inflict some pain of his own. This continues to the second round, but now the Cowboy gains the upper hand and wins the first pinfall after an elbow smash to the top of Johnny's head.

He has little time to recover, but Johnny bursts out of his corner, catching the Cowboy with a flying headbutt and pinning him in the corner. With one pinfall a piece, we are all set for a tense conclusion to the fight next week.  

Apart from the cringe-worthy start as the Cowboy tells Johnny that the cowboys always beat the Indians, this was a top-notch story. The artwork was true to a wrestling match and captured the spirit of the match well. Not all the dialogue was brilliant, but as the match progressed it got better, and by the final panel I was fully engaged. I was doubtful about this cast of characters wrestling and was pleased when this story proved me wrong with some wrestling action just as good as anywhere else in the Johnny Cougar canon.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "You see too many films...this Indian not ready to be beaten!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini 

The car circus is about to begin, with the promise of a series of stunts from Tiny and Martin. It isn't quite what I expected after last week's issue, but I shrug my shoulders and keep reading.

First up we have Martin driving a Ford Anglia through a blazing brick wall before the two boys try a bit of car jousting against each other. 

They both emerge unscathed and we are ready for the finale of Tiny driving George down a steep ramp for a flip into a bed of feathers.

We are all set when Martin suddenly finds out that the owner of the car circus has fled with all the takings. Climbing to the top of the ramp he tells Tiny and they have a quick chat about what to do. The decision is quickly made, there is only one way to catch him, and that is to drive down the ramp. This is where we end the strip, with the two pals hurtling down the ramp. 

What an exciting finish! The rest of the strip wasn't dramatic, but it was exciting with lots of car stunts and glorious views of the two friends doing unexpected things on the track. I didn't so much read it as devour the pictures, and there was something eye-catching in every panel. Glorious to look at, and even if the story didn't sweep me off my feet the artwork sure did. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Now Tiny Hill climbs into my mini car, in readiness to launch himself down the ski-jump...and out into space!"

Nipper

It's all happening at the big game this week. Nipper is suspended, the English under-23 selectors are there to watch him, and an extra edition of The Chronicle has come out - criticising Nipper for being suspended. 

Things come to a head early on as Nipper, hiding in the crowd, sees a copy of The Chronicle, its headline saying he shouldn't be anywhere near an England shirt.

This infuriates him and he storms down to the touchline, demanding that Andy Stewart play him. This causes a distraction on the field, and Blackport concedes a goal, much to Andy Stewart's chagrin. 

The strip ends with a furious Andy Stewart, and the England selectors preparing to leave given that it is unlikely that Nipper will play at all now. 

A fast-moving story, I enjoyed this week's instalment. Brian Crawford, author of the article, was watching from the crowd, and I have my suspicions that this is all part of his master plan. Time will tell. As usual, we had the fantastically angry face of Andy Stewart, only matched by the incandescent rage of Nipper. They are a match made in heaven, and I love watching the sparks fly when the two of them are together. There is still a wider story to be told, and I can't wait to see how this will play out over the coming weeks, 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Why, you stupid, hair-brained, little..!"  

Skid Solo 

We are back to Skid Solo testing new equipment for a company for this week's instalment. In this case, it's tyres, but the story isn't about the tyres themselves, but rather how the team will protect these expensive items from crooks.

Initially Sandy has a barrage of padlocks on the sheds, and after some chat it is decided that they need something more. Sandy wants a guard dog, but Skid and Sparrow persuade him that a night watchman might be a better idea. 

While Skid and Sparrow try out the new tyres, Sandy must decide which of the two applicants for the job he will choose, He has a choice between a young, long-haired chap, and an older, more conservatively dressed type. Both are appealing, and Sandy decides to go with the older gentleman. 

The following day he is shocked to find the sheds have been cleaned out and the night watchman is missing. The police are soon on to the case, and very quickly catch the nightwatchman and a trailer full of new tyres. There is a twist as they reveal his accomplice - the other applicant for the job. No matter who he chose, Sandy would have lost. 

It's back to getting a guard dog, and the strip closes with the new dog pulling on Sandy's leg, while Skid and Solo laugh at his lack of trust.

Too fast and too boring are my first thoughts about this strip. There was very little of Skid on the track, and the off-track drama was resolved all too easily. On a better day, I might have described it as a gentle read, sadly I am not in such a mood today. This story was instantly forgettable, and although the art was pleasant, it was never enough to raise it above the tepid storyline. 

Rating: 4/10

Best line: "I'm a canny judge o' character, even if I say so m'sel'! I'd prefer to employ the neat and tidy mon..."

Hot-Shot Hamish 

In his mismatched clothes, and with his boots falling apart, Hamish limps off the field and Princes Park goes two-nil down. Most of the crowd has seen enough, and the stadium empties as the fans give up on their team.

The rest of the story is told from a nearby cafe as the fans commiserate with each other while a nearby radio runs commentary from the ground. The fans perk up when they hear that Hamish has set up a goal for Princes Park, and then become visibly excited as he scores to equaliser. 

With two minutes left to play, Hamish heads home the winner as the fans celebrate around the radio. However, their joy is shortlived as the commentator informs them that Hamish has collapsed and that stretcher-bearers are running onto the field to collect him.

This is the best Hot-shot Hamish issue so far, and easily the best story in this week's comic. Telling the story through the radio commentary, with the fan's reaction and occasional panels showing Hamish while the commentator describes what he was doing, is most inventive, and was instantly familiar to anyone who grew up listening to football on the radio. I was totally sold on the idea, and although there wasn't too much artwork of the on-field action, the story was just as engrossing following along with the fans. Top work all around, the writer for the imaginative framing of the story and the artist for his brilliant work on capturing the emotion. There's a reason Hot-shot Hamish was my favourite growing up, and this is it.

Rating: 10/10

Best line: "...and it's there! A lovely goal...made by big Hamish Balfour. That puts Princes back in the game!"

Roy Of The Rovers

There are a lot of angry people in the first panels of Roy Of The Rovers, as Rovers dispute the penalty given at the end of last week's strip. Chief among them is Lofty Peak, although all his complaining manages to achieve is a booking from the referee.

As Carford City prepare to take the penalty their manager, Archie Miller, calls out that Don Watson must take it, and if he misses he will play for the reserves. Hardly the comment to inspire confidence and Roy senses it, telling Charlie Carter to dive for the corner as that will be where Don will aim for. 

Not only does Charlie manage to pull off the save, but his following kick ends up with Roy who sends it sailing down the field towards Mervyn, who obliges with a goal. With this, the game is as good as won, and Rovers are ecstatic.

In the aftermath of the game Archie Miller is sacked as manager of Carford City, and Tony explains to the Rovers why he kept cool despite being provoked by Miller The answer was in Miller's own book, where he wrote that his injuring of Tony Storme haunted him for the rest of his career. With this, it is decided that all his shouting and bullying was just a shield to hide his guilt.

An apology is in order, and Archie Miller arrives at just the right moment to receive it. There are two further surprises to come, first Archie has been appointed as the new chief scout, and secondly, he has found a youth who could be the most sensational player the club has ever seen. 

I'm pleased to see a happy resolution, unfortunately, most of this week's strip was too neat and all the loose threads tied up a little too well for my liking. Yes, Tony and Archie resolved their differences, which was good, but hiring Archie as the new chief scout was too much for me. Then, to have Archie claim he has already found a sensational player for Melchester Rovers, well that was a bridge too far. The first half of the strip was great and it was only the second half that I had trouble with, so overall it balanced out alright. Thinking back, I wasn't fussed with the way this strip started, with the out-of-control minibus if you can cast your mind back, and it has an equally weak ending. In between has been an uneven ride, and I am now pinning my hopes on this sensational new player who has appeared. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "That's for you to decide, lad! You're the chap who will have to face it!" 

Tallon Of The Track

Here's hoping that we are back on track this week, and things start well with the introduction of the Osprey's first opponent, the mighty Ukrainian Bears. We first meet their captain, a hulk of a man named Vladimir Debenko. 

Not only is big but also strong, and his friendly slap on the back to Dave Trent sends Dave crashing to the floor. Debennko has another display of strength for Jo, and she is displeased to find herself caught in a bear hug from him.

On the track, he is exactly the same and entertains the crowd before the race with a strongman act on his bike. However, once the racing starts the Ospreys are on a more equal footing, and the first race ends on split points.

The following race, and it's Dave Trent against Vladimir Debenko. A friendly handshake before the race goes awry for Dave, and his hand is injured by the Ukrainian strongman just as they are riding onto the track.

Much better than last week, and I am enjoying the story as it is laid out here. It does read differently through modern eyes, I must admit (the Ukrainian war is in the papers every day at the moment) but throwing myself back into 1974 this is a wonderful yarn. Vladimir is big and causing trouble, but he seems unaware of the chaos he is causing, and there is something very likeable about him. The art is back on a firmer footing on the track, and an improvement over the forest and wolf imagery we have seen for the last few weeks. It feels as though we have finally turned a corner with this strip, and once again I am falling in love with Jo Tallon. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "You great brute, Debenko! That slap on the back nearly sent Dave head-first through the wall!" 

 Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Hot-shot Hamish  

Best Line: "Velcome to Leningrad, my friend! You are David Trentski, yes? Captain of daar Osprey Fliers?"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: 

  

 

Tiger 30th November 1974

I turn fifty years old in a few day's time, which means I have been reading this comic for forty-two years. That's a long time and a lot of comics. Yet, I still find surprises on the pages of Tiger comics, and I'm never short of something to say about it. After all these years it still gives me such joy, and I only hope that more people feel the same way about it. Here are my thoughts on the most recent comic I read, in the death throes of my forties. 

30th November 1974

Johnny Cougar and Splash Gorton

Finally, Johnny Cougar is back and in London, and in the first panel of the story we learn he is about to take part in a four-man contest. The characters are laid out for us right on the first page - The Cowboy, Big Jim Jackson, Stoneage Man, and Johnny Cougar. As the commentator rightly says - what a line-up.

We then have a training montage (insert Eye Of The Tiger music here) before the first match-up begins with the arrival of Johnny Cougar and The Cowboy. There are some shenanigans before the match, and a little banter, before the referee calms things for the start of the bout.

This story came and went pretty fast. It was all about laying out the four-man competition, and then some padding so we could end with the first fight about to begin. There wasn't a lot for me to sink my teeth into here, and I left the story feeling unsatisfied. I know we are setting up for what comes next and I'm already pleased to see that it is proper wrestling action after the previous story. This week didn't deliver what I wanted and it will be next week before this storyline really kicks into high gear. Cowboys and Indians, what more could a young man ask for.  

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "Yahooo! Stand back, folks...the cowboy's in town...and that means trouble for someone!"

Roy Of The Rovers

The battle between Melchester Rovers and Carford City, and their respective managers, continues this week. 

Tony Storme refuses to be riled by the antics of Archie Miller, although the rest of the Rovers become distracted by the sideline conflict, and this directly leads to Rover's conceding a goal as Jimmy becomes overly involved and loses focus on the game at hand. 

The game becomes rougher and the crowd becomes involved, jeering and throwing stuff at the Carford manager. Tony Storme comes over and it looks like the confrontation is about to get worse, but instead, he concentrates his attention on the crowd and insists that everyone stays calm. 

Once again the Rovers manager has failed to be drawn into further conflict with Archie Miller. On the field, however, things are breaking down, and the strip ends with a penalty award to Carford City. 

Things aren't looking too good for Rovers, but they only have themselves to blame. A good story, and fine read, I found myself not frustrated by the comic, but rather by the antics of the Rovers. Professional footballers, and yet they are continually being drawn into the personal dramas between the two managers. I want to give each and every one of them a stern talking to. It feels like this is perhaps the climax of the story, it seems resolution may be near at hand, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see next week wrap up this storyline. Still, anything could happen, and this was another steady step in the right direction. A good Roy Of The Rovers storyline, it satisfies rather than excites. 

Rating: 6.5/10 

Best line: "That does it! If you blokes put the boot in just once more, it won't be the ref you'll have to worry about!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Our two pals have hundreds of letters in response to their request for work. Most are asking for money rather than job offers, but they do find one letter from a showman who will pay top money for two good drivers. 

They duly meet the showman, and he has several spectacular ideas up his sleeve. They reject his idea of jumping off a ramp and through a brick wall, as well as his car jousting idea. They are equally weary of his idea of doing a somersault off a ramp and landing in a pile of feathers painted to look like dirt, but after Tiny successfully tries it on a bike, they agree to go with it. A poster is printed to promote it, and we'll all be back next week to see what happens.

Similar to the Johnny Cougar story earlier in this issue, this was all about setting up for what comes next. The difference is that this story gave us several enjoyable panels of Tiny attempting the stunt on a bike, and this was all the hook I needed to enjoy what I read. Having it in colour certainly helped the cause, and even with no car action, there was enough on the page to make me want to come back next week. We are just getting warmed up here, but seeing Tiny take on the stunt already has whet my appetite to see more on a larger scale. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "It works, my fine friend! Look, take that bike up and have a go! There's nothing to worry about...you'll enjoy it! Go On, try..."

Tallon Of The Track

We drop straight into it, with Jo and Sven on the desperate run from a pack of wolves. It looks like all is lost when Sven falls, but Jo proves her mettle, fighting off the pack with a branch. 

The rest of the Ospreys are alerted by the noise, and it's Dave to the rescue on his bike. Broadsiding through the middle of the pack, he drives them off, leaving Jo and Sven to scramble to safety. 

From here it's a stroll in the park, as the team reunite and continues with their ride towards civilization. Coming across a road that runs east to Leningrad, they run into a lorry driver who rather luckily has an empty truck. Loading themselves and their bikes aboard, they drive towards Leningrad, while Jo tells the team that the Russian riders are world-class, and they will be facing some tough racing.

The threat of the wolves was overcome easily and the rest of this issue passed by all too quick. There was no hook to keep me reading, and once the wolves were dealt with the rest of the comic was dealing with the logistics of getting the team to Leningrad for the racing. Seeing them climbing into a lorry is hardly the dramatic twist we needed after the wolves episode, and it all fell flat after the first few panels. Seeing Dave riding into the wolf pack was thrilling, but that was only a panel, and nothing else in the story came near it as far as the drama of the story was concerned. Hoping for a vast improvement next week, but already this Russian adventure has failed to live up to my expectations.

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "Good morning Comrade...I don't suppose you speak English!"

Skid Solo

Back from their trip to America and Mexico, our trio are now driving through the Lake District with Skid behind the wheel. It's cold and misty, although the mist briefly clears and the team see a bunch of runners running across country.

Skid continues on to the track where they are supposed to be racing. The weather is still bad, and the track is too dangerous for Skid and Sparrow to practice.

By the afternoon the track has dried out and they do get some time in the cars on the track. However the weather closes in again, and the following day the weather is just as bad as ever. 

Skid and Sparrow decide to join the fell runners, and returning three hours later they tell Sandy they have entered a ten-mile race the following day. Sandy thinks it's a mad idea and tells them they'd be better off staying inside for the day. 

The following morning it's teeming with rain and Sandy reiterates that he thinks they're crazy. Skid and Sparrow leave the hotel, and Sandy enjoys a quiet lunch to himself, still thinking about how cold and wet Skid and Sparrow will be.

Finishing his lunch he ventures out to the finish line to see his two pals come in. He waits an hour in the rain, but they never appear. He decides to return to the hotel and slips over in the mud, eventually arriving back soaked and muddy himself. Here he finds another surprise, Skid and Sparrow are already at the hotel. They had taken his advice after all and taken in a movie instead. While it's Sandy who is wet and cold, Skid and Sparrow are quite dry and content. 

We finish the story the following day, as Skid and Sparrow are at the track and ready to race. Both are fit and healthy and all the better for staying dry, while the voice of reason Sandy has picked up a cold. 

Poor Sandy just can't catch a break, and week after week he seems to be plagued by bad luck while Skid always seems to come up smelling of roses. Strangely enough, this makes him more relatable to me, and I can't help but feel sympathy for his plight. Not the most thrilling of stories, nor the funniest, it nevertheless had a certain charm to it and despite its cold theme I warmed to it. We had some very tidy artwork of Sandy, and it was pleasing to see him hold centre stage in a strip that didn't concern racing. I normally come for the motor action, but sometimes these soft heartwarming stories are just what I need and this was the perfect read for a quiet Sunday morning. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "Where have you been? You look a bit damp!"

Nipper

Nipper has disappeared, and the young kids who follow him lay the blame firmly at the feet of the Chronicle. We start the story with these hooligans throwing stones through the windows of the newspaper office.

They receive a strong telling-off from Mike Bateson, and Mike remains at the centre of the story as he confronts Brian Crawford. Crawford also receives a strong telling-off, but he remains adamant that Nipper's disappearance is unrelated to any of his doing.

Deep in the woods, Nipper is camping out in a disused water tank. He intends to stay away a week, but the following day he decides to sneak in to watch Blackport play.

He's not the only one coming to see the team, the English selectors have turned up especially to see Nipper play. Disappointed to see that Nipper won't be on the field one of them goes down to the touch line to speak with Andy Stewart. He's not the only one wishing to speak to Andy, and in the final panels, a club official runs up to Andy to show him the latest issue of the Chronicle. Taking one look at the sports page, Andy exclaims that if Nipper reads it he will never play for England. 

An intriguing end to the story, I am most curious to know what has been written that has caused Andy Stewart distress. Not much football here, but several attention-grabbing panels. I enjoyed the opening with the hooligans throwing rocks and the appearance of Mike Bateson in his wonderful-looking car. Nipper alone was also handled well and added more depth to the story as he soliloquies. Plenty of story left in the tank, and this should keep delivering for some time yet. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "oo-'eck! It's Nipper's pal, Mike Bateson and his girlfriend! We'd better get out of here, lads..!"

Billy's Boots

Injured in a midweek game for his school team, Billy Dane now faces playing for the Groundwood Town Youth team carrying an injury. 

As expected, it does not go well, and Billy puts in a poor performance. The Groundwood Town manager is less than impressed, especially once he notices that Billy is limping. Billy is subbed off, and as he receives treatment in the massage room the manager comes in and lets him know what a fool he has been. 

Billy has blown his chance with the Groundwood Town team, and it gets worse on Monday as he reports to practice with his school team. Telling the sports master he has been injured, he is attended to and told that he is definitely out for the cup reply. With Billy now out of every team, he realises that he may not get his place back in any of them.

Well, that's your own silly fault, Billy. Not for getting injured, but for trying to play on with an injury. Seriously, I do feel sorry for him. He was only trying to do his best for every team, and it all blew up horribly in his face. Another typical Billy tale, I never tire of these. His magic boots weren't to the fore this week, but there were plenty of other Billy's Boots tropes at play, with some typical complaining, poor play, bad luck, and a generally miserable atmosphere. Gloomier than the rest of the stories in Tiger, this is still the most relatable, and although I didn't always like Billy, I always relate to his situation.

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "The new boy's limping! I haven't seen him get a knock!"

Hot-shot Hamish 

We last left Hamish scrambling over the gates of Princes Park in an attempt to make it to a vital game in time. This week that plays out as the gates eventually collapse under the strain, and the fans welcome a dazed Hamish into the stadium. 

The players are already on the field, and in the changing room, Hamish realises that he doesn't have any football gear with him. The team is struggling on without him, and under siege from the opposing players when Hamish makes a timely entrance wearing assorted ill-fitting kit. 

This poor kit directly leads to the first goal, as the Princes Park goalkeeper can't see the ball coming for Hamish's large shorts. 

This stings Hamish into action, and he leads his team onto the attack. Striking the ball for his hot-shot, Hamish's boots burst into pieces, seemingly too small to stand the strain. With fans streaming out of the stadium in the face of a potential decimation on the pitch, Mr McWhacker is worried that this could spell the end of the club. 

Lots of things couldn't stand the strain this week, and the club is falling to pieces around the team. I would have found it amusing if it wasn't so serious. The gate collapsing made me smile, as did Hamish's boot exploding, but with so much on the line I left the strip feeling blue. The highlight aside from these humourous moments, was the looks on the faces of those involved, and we had some splendid art throughout the strip that made my heart sing. I may not like the situation they are in, but it has provided the artist with a chance to display a range of emotions on the faces, and this stands heads and shoulders above everything else in the strip. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "It's Hamish! What a sight! He canna play football looking like that!"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6/10

Best Story: Hot-shot Hamish  

Best Line: "Just you listen to me, laddie...you said you were fit to play this afternoon...and you weren't! Never report fit when you're not! Not only can you do harm to yourself...you let the whole team down!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: 

Tiger 23rd November 1974

The first day of spring has arrived and I feel like a new man. A warm breeze, longer evenings, it won't be long until I'm sitting outside with a cider as I read these comics. On the pages of Tiger, it is quite the opposite as we head into the depths of winter of 1974. Football is at the forefront of everyone's mind, while some of the other summer-based stories are taking in adventures in warmer climates. The obvious exception is Tallon Of The Track, where Jo and her team are facing a frozen joinery across the snowy forests of Russia. Thank goodness I'm reading this in the early spring warmth, otherwise, I might have resorted to putting on an extra jumper.  

23rd November 1974

Skid Solo

Finally, we have some on-track racing again for Skid Solo. After a couple of weeks of trying to get to El Marco for an invitational race, Skid, Saprrow, and Sandy have arrived, although Sandy is far from happy with the cars they have been loaned to race with.

Sacking the Mexican mechanic, Sandy takes it upon himself to fine-tune the cars himself. They aren't perfect by the time the race starts, but they are a lot better than they were. 

News of the mechanics sacking has reached the crowd, and Skid and Sparrow are booed from the start. There is a Mexican driver leading the race, but after he crashes the booing intensifies for Skid and Sparrow as the crowd blame them for the crash.

Skid doesn't wait around after the race, forgoing the victory lap and slipping out the back in a rush to catch his plane. On the race track the angry crowd is pacified by the Mexican driver who tells them that the crash was his own fault and Skid had nothing to do with it. He also explains that Skid has donated his winnings to the town for repairs after the tornado struck and that the sacked mechanic has been rehired.

All ends well with Skid receiving a thank you message at the airport that has been dictated by a staff member from a phone call he has received. There is one final smile as he shows Skid the long list of names that it came from, and he explains it took him hours to write it all down.  

Excellent track racing for this story. The images of Skid and Sparrow duelling with the leader are the highlight of the strip for me. I am less happy with the final punchline, or some of the earlier events that set up the plot. It seemed a little too harsh for Sandy to sack the other mechanic, and in real life a better option would have been to have him help. Of course, this isn't real life, and we wouldn't have got the story we did if this happened. The angry mob was good, and I enjoyed seeing Skid being the bad guy for once, even though it was slight and due to an understanding. The cars on the track got an A+ for me, but everything else fell a little flat and the ending was disappointing given how long this race in El Marco was built up.

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "Booooooooo! Go home, Solo and Smith!"

Billy's Boots

Billy Dane has a game for the Groundwood Town youth team on Saturday, but first, he must negotiate a midweek cup game for his school team.

He starts poorly for the school team. The opposing team, Featherdale School, have a tall lanky centre-back, and the player effectively neutralizes everything Billy throws at him. 

In the second half, Billy is moved to the wing, and away from the player. Despite jeers from the opposing fans, this works rather well, especially when Billy intercepts a back pass and scores an equaliser. 

With three minutes of the match left, Billy cuts in from the wing. Other players wonder what he's up to, but he continues dribbling across the field before finally backheeling to a teammate who is denied a goal by a fabulous save. Poor Billy sees none of this as he has been clattered by his opposing man. Now injured, the game ends with Billy seriously in doubt for the game on Saturday. 

Nothing too surprising here. Given how predictable it was, it was surprisingly enjoyable. I liked the seriousness bestowed upon a school match, and the jeering and heckles on the sideline added to the intensity of what was being played out on the field. I expected the winning goal to come from Billy's final play, and I was quite pleased to see it saved. This extends the life of the cup draw and shows that Billy isn't Superman. He is still a worrier, however, and he has plenty to worry about before Saturday's game. The artwork feels cleaner, and paired with some familiar storytelling this is a strong entry for Billy's Boots. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "He's got legs like pieces of elastic! He always manages to get a toe to the ball!"

 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin and Tiny are belting towards the finish line of the Ranchers race, hopeful that they are still in with a chance. There is one final drama left for them, a wrecked bridge over a ravine. What follows is an amazing piece of driving as Martin drives them across the bridge on two wheels, safely making it to the other side. 

With this behind them, the finish line is in sight, and they are overjoyed when they find that they are first over the line. They are less happy when they are told they haven't won and the race has been cancelled due to the other competitors being trapped on the other side of the bushfire. 

Once again broke, they are forced to advise, putting out an advertisement for two rally drivers for hire. This exceeds all expectations and we finish the strip with Martin and Tiny facing three mailbags full of opportunities. 

Not the glorious finish I expected. All that hard work and we are back where we started. The most exciting part of the strip, and the part that dominated most of the panels, was the drive across the broken bridge. This was every bit as dramatic as you might imagine and worthy of any stunt by evil Knievel. Even on the newsprint page, it feels dangerous and exciting, and it is the most memorable thing we have seen for a while. A couple of flat spots, but overall this was a cracking instalment, and next week promises a whole new adventure.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "I'm not even looking!"

Johnny Cougar and Splash Gorton

Johnny has freed Splash from his wooden cage in the forest where he was held by Robin Good and now has a plan of his own in mind to get payback.

Good and his merry men return to find Splash gone and Johnny missing, Before they can make a move, Splash stampedes some wild horses that he and Johnny previously rounded up, and this stampede leaves Good and his men scrambling for safety inside the wooden cage.

It is now that Johnny springs the second part of his plan, and he shuts the door on the cage, trapping Good and all his men inside their own prison. This is the end of the storyline, and the final panel has Johnny Cougar again enthusiastic to get back into some wrestling action.

Me too, Johnny, me too. Thank goodness this is over. Wonderful artwork and some great-looking characters were not quite enough for me to buy this storyline about a modern-day Robin Hood. I wanted to like it, I really did, but it was all too much for me, and this story was doomed as far as my opinion of it went, from the very first issue. I love to see Johnny wrestling, and although he dabbles with bad guys many times over the years, he will always primarily be a wrestler in my eyes. We had snatches of wrestling here and there through this story, but never enough for my liking. Next week should see Johnny return to his roots, and with that my love if the character should return. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "No more holidays! Cougar need to get back to wrestling ring heap fast! Time for grip-and-grapple action!

Roy Of The Rovers

Tony Storme is still feuding with Carford manager Archie Miller as we begin this week's strip. Penny thinks she has found a solution to their problem and shows Roy a book with a relevant paragraph for the two managers. Roy thinks she is right, but when he attempts to show it to Tony Storme, Tony is having none of it.

There is a midweek game, and Tony still hasn't looked at the book Roy gave him. His mood is as foul as ever, and he takes it out on the players. Roy is coming back from injury but subbed off late in the game. Both he and Tony are snappy with each other, but it never develops into anything more. 

Saturday rolls around, and now it's time for the showdown between Melchester Rovers and Carford. The two managers approach each other and it seems trouble is brewing. Archie Miller pointedly tells Tony Storme to make sure the players know it is not a grudge match, but Storme fails to be goaded by him. The stadium is electric as the game kicks off, and it seems anything might happen. 

After a frustrating day at work, I'm not sure I want to see two men sniping and getting angry at each other. I've just had that for nine hours, and I don't need it anymore. My own personal circumstances aside, this is an increase in intensity and a great read. Not much football to speak of, but each panel ramped up the pressure for the game that was to come. Angry Tony Storme was a believable character and fits with some similar people I have known in my time. I was wary of him on the page, and I'd certainly be wary of him in real life. Realism is the name of the game, and I'm totally sold on the story and what will come next. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "All this aggro is even getting to me now! By the time we get to Carford, the strain is going to be unbearable!"

Nipper

Nipper has been suspended for the next six games and fined two hundred pounds for his part in the scuffle at the newspaper office a couple of weeks ago. The disappointed look on his face as he reports this to his teammates speaks volumes and even a serious talk from his pal Mike Beatson fails to lift his spirits. 

A despondent Nipper leaves the ground and goes in search of former player Bill Hammond, who he hopes will be able to shed some light on the club's goals in a season record holder, Manny Hopwood.  Hammond tells Nipper that Manny died a couple of years ago after a troubled life once his career finished. 

Nipper is at a loss at what to do in light of this information and slopes off to think alone. Meanwhile, Andy Stewart has been notified that the England Under 23s selectors are coming to watch Nipper play. With this news, Stewart is forced to select Nipper for the next game, although nobody knows where to find Nipper to pass on the news. Mike Beatson tries the usual places, but Nipper isn't to be found as the strip ends. 

This rounded off some of the things we saw last week and planted new seeds with the arrival of the English selectors and the possibility of Nipper being selected for the under-23 side. It was a bridging episode in which not a lot happened, yet the story hinges on the small amount of information given. For those hoping for drama, this isn't the issue for you, nevertheless, this is crucial for what comes next and a must-read for those following the long story arch.

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "But the whole affair sort of...broke his heart! He became ill, soon afterwards...and never recovered!"

Hot-shot Hamish 

Hamish has rushed back to his island home with his Daddy in order to defend it from the oil men. Trouble awaits them, it's not the oil men, but rather an angry phone call from Mr McWhacker telling Hamish he must be back at Princes Park the following day for the first game of the season. 

Hamish promises he'll be back, and soon enough he and Daddy are on the boat heading for the island. With night upon them, they grab some weapons from their home, a sword in particular catches the eye, and make for the tents where the oil men are asleep. Waking them from their slumber, Daddy threatens them with his weapon raised, and soon enough the outsiders are on the run back to the mainland. 

With the island once again safe, Hamish catches the boat back to the mainland. He is exhausted from the night's exertions and sleeps all the way. It is then onto a plane and a train, before a desperate sprint to the stadium. 

Arriving he finds it is a sellout crowd. There are only minutes to spare, and the guards at the gate fail to recognise him and refuse him entry.  We end the story with Hamish scrambling over the gates while the two guards do their best to stop him. 

 A curious story, I expected much more from the conflict with the oil men. I thought that it would last at least a couple of issues, but instead, the story is about the journey there and back rather than the conflict itself. Although the stay on the island was brief, it did give us some wonderful lines and accompanying artwork. It was the high point of this week's story, and again I feel it was a lost opportunity. A few more weeks of this would have been truly great. Still, Hamish is finally back and almost playing for Princes Park - all is right in the world. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Well, ye've seen them off, Daddy! They couldna' stand the awe-inspiring sight o' a Scotsman on the war-path!" 

Tallon Of The Track 

I would like to say they've saved the best for last, but...hmmm...

With their plane crashing somewhere west of Leningrad, Jo Tallon shows her resourceful side. In order to get to safety she decides they will ride their bikes across the snowy ground. It's pointed out that they have no fuel, some of the passengers can't ride bikes, and the snow is too slushy. Jo has answers for all of this: they can use fuel from the plane, they'll tow a sledge made from an aircraft door for the other passengers, and they'll ride at night when the ground freezes hard. 

With the bikes lined up and towing the makeshift sledge, they head off into the night. Progress is slow as they stop frequently to refuel. The moon fades as they enter the forest and matters take a turn as they hear a howl in the night. Sven and Jo investigate, and we end the story as a pack of wolves appear and make to attack.

This was far from my favourite story last week, and this week is more of the same. I didn't feel the danger from the wolves at the end, and elsewhere it felt like Jo always had everything under control. It was a little too neat for my liking and never paid off with dynamic visuals. A plane crash in the snowy forest of Soviet Russia should scream peril, instead it felt more like a boy scout adventure. I usually like to end on a positive note, but I'm just not sure about next week.   

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "You've got to hand it to the girl, Dave...she thinks of everything! 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Martin's Marvellous Mini 

Best Line: "Come on oot, ye great lump o' Haggis! We've got to get to the plane, the noo!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: