Tiger 12th April 1975

This is the issue that I have been waiting for - Tallon Of The Track is finally leaving Russia and heading home. Considering that it is one of my favourite stories, I have had a miserable run with it recently, I look forward to more positive storylines with a return to Great Britain. Finally, we learn the secret of the balalaika and can leave Russia with peace of mind. I'm sure the other stories will be great this week, but for now, all I care about is Tallon Of The Track getting back on the straight and narrow and giving me the pleasure of Jo racing her bike at high speed.   

Tiger

12th April 1975

Skid Solo

Both a snake and a horse appear in this week's cover for Skid Solo. The horse raring up in front of Skid's car, the snake in Sandy's exclamation of "Great snakes!"  - an expression that immediately puts me in mind of my late father.

Young Tommy Carter is behind the wheel of the car and in the midst of a driving lesson from Skid when the horse has bolted onto the track, and a crash looks inevitable as Skid desperately grabs the wheel from Tommy, while still having time to explain the wheels have locked with his braking, and he should take his foot off the brake immediately. 

Poor Tommy is frozen in fear, and all Skid can do to save the situation is to wrench the wheel in Tommy's hand and send them crashing to a stop in the barrier. 

Both are shaken, but all are unharmed - including the horse. While Sandy escorts the horse back to its paddock, Skid steers Tommy towards a sports car to continue driving. Tommy is reluctant to do so and clearly shaken up by the experience and it's only at Skid's strong insistence that he climbs behind the wheel again and takes to the track. 

Skid urges him to drive faster and faster, and after a quick run, they return to the pits. There Skid jumps into his Grand Prix car and zooms onto the track as Sandy explains to Tommy that Skid too was shaken by the accident and will be giving himself a highspeed workout to clear his mind. 

While Skid is on the track, Sparrow Smith approaches Tommy and Sandy and offers a friendly hello. Sandy tells Tommy that Sparrow is the current World Champion and that he used to be Skid's teammate. Sparrow takes his own car out onto the track and soon is duelling with Skid. 

Tommy watches on, falling in love with racing as the two racers speed around the track. Later as he puts Skid's car away he puts himself in the driver's seat and imagines himself racing. In his imagination, he is crashing through a barrier, and all he can think about is the way he froze. Negative thoughts enter his head, and he decides that he'll never make a racing driver. 

Sandy and Skid are quietly watching on, and Sandy comments that Tommy obviously hasn't fully recovered from the crash. Skid agrees, but tells Sandy that he'll get over it and in a few years he'll be out on the track challenging Skid for the World Championship. 

They do say that if you fall off a horse, the first thing you should do is climb back on it, so it was a nice twist here to see that old adage used in regard to a car accident caused by a horse. Plenty of signposts to the future with Tommy behind the wheel fantasizing about being a race car driver, while Skids comments late in the story also dwell on the same thought. It's clear now that one day Tommy Carter will be behind the wheel of a race car, and all this is just planting the seeds for that future. As for the here and now, I wasn't so fussed about the horse story. While I appreciated the message that was being put across, I never felt the drama of the moment. The handling of the fallout in the wake of the accident was much more to my taste, and I thought it was handled supremely well. It helps that the artwork is so easy on the eye, but throughout it was the writing that kept me steadily reading. The aftermath of the accident was highly relatable, and put across in a way that most people could simply understand. Once again, this Skid Solo story was understated, yet retained a readability that helped start this week's comic in good style.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "That's the best thing the lad could have done...go out again! A mon could lose his nerve completely after a crash like they just had."

Roy Of The Rovers

Playing against not only the eleven Zarnov players but also the weak officials, Rovers are struggling in their away leg of the Cup Winner's Cup. Obvious fouls against Rovers go unpunished before a blatant off-side is ignored to gift Zarnov a second goal. 

As halftime is blown, Roy and his players endure a barrage of abuse and missiles as they make their way off the field. Despite the danger of the situation, Roy spots a bottle that has a note inside it and commands Blackie to quickly grab it as they make their way to the changing room. 

In the dressing room, Roy finds it is another note from the mystery man. Once again it offers advice, advice that Roy will follow, although he doesn't think it will work, and refuses to tell the team exactly what the advice was. 

Back on the field play resumes, and it isn't long before Roy accidentally kicks the ball into the back of the referee's head. The referee is injured and cannot continue, and the Zarnov captain is quick to point to one of the linesmen as a replacement. However, it is the other linesman who steps forward to take the whistle, and the game soon continues. 

Zarnov is still playing rough, and the new referee blows the whistle in Rover's favour. Rovers may have won the free-kick, but with Zarnov putting their wall just a few years in front of the spot it seems that nothing has changed concerning bending the rules.

A solid outing for Roy Of The Rovers. It wasn't spectacular, but did just enough to hold my interest without being a challenging or demanding read. The mystery notes continue to frustrate me, especially in this case as Roy spots the note in a bottle thrown at them. One minute they are fleeing the hurled missiles, yet it is not desperate enough that Roy doesn't have time to look at what is actually thrown at them. Still, it did help move the story forward and I await with interest to see how this scheme with the new referee will work out. A good enough issue, it will be next week when we take a giant step forward with this story and the game. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Excuse me, but I am the senior linesman. I must insist that I take over as referee!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin and Tiny's winning cheque of 250 pounds is rapidly disappearing in a pig's mouth. Despite Martin's heroic efforts, in this case taking a frightful blow from behind from a charging pig, there is nothing they can do and the money is gone. Tiny's idea to go back is to ask the race organisers to write them another cheque is the correct one, although too late to save Martin from taking a dive into the mud.

While collecting their new cheque they notice a poster for a novelty race with a prize of one thousand pounds. It's a wild-sounding race using the army testing ground. It doesn't take long for Tiny and Martin to decide that they'll enter, and soon they're off to see what they've got themselves into. 

Following another competitor around the muddy track, they are surprised to find themselves taking a bend in a giant pipe. Coming out of the pipe they are rapidly shaken on a cobbled road. Slowing down, they soon find themselves facing another corner with a sign telling them to increase speed now. They prudently pull off the track to find out what lies ahead and are just in time to see the other car speeding towards a ramp jump across a river. The other car is going nowhere never fast enough, and as the lads watch on it crashes into the water.

Tiny and Martin are shocked, and as the strip ends they are left wondering how much worse could the track be.

A tidy story with enough action to keep the reader turning the page. However, this is merely the entree and we are only getting a taster of what is to come once the race properly starts. I was pleased to see the pigs eating the cheque quickly wrapped up and this new race introduced. The race holds plenty of thrills and spills and should propel us forward for the next few weeks. We have seen races such as this before on the pages of Martin's Marvellous Mini, and I always find them enjoyable, despite the constant feeling of Deja Vu. This race has a few different twists, and based on what we have seen this week, it should prove to be a most enjoyable issue.   

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Stone me...where's he going?"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gordon

Finally, it is the showdown we have been waiting for, man versus robot as Johnny squares off against Grarg in the ring. Johnny is brave, but he is facing overwhelming odds as is amply demonstrated in the first panels as Grarg tears out one of the ring posts and hurls it at Johnny. 

Johnny knows he has little chance in a straight fight against Grarg, and in the following panel he collapses in the ring. As he lies there, he whispers his plan to Splash and Grarg's two human minders. 

With instructions issued, Johnny regains his feet and all four men step into the ring. It looks as though all four will be fighting the robot, but instead, the four men begin to fight among themselves. The crowd is confused, for as the men strike each other, the man doing the hitting cries out in pain. Things become more confusing, as the men striking blows fall to the floor, while those taking the punch remain standing. With two falling, there is only Johnny and Grarg's manager left standing. Grarg's manager strikes Johnny with the broken ring post, and once again the unexpected happens as the manager falls to the floor while Johnny stands strong. 

Jonnhy faces Grarg and tells him that he wants him to hit him hard on the chin and that Johnny Cougar wants to lose the match. This is all too much for the robot, and he begins to blow fuses before collapsing into a smoking heap on the floor. Johnny has worked out that the robot has been programmed for a variety of situations, but faced with a situation where everything is opposite to what is expected his circuits couldn't cope with it eventually overloading the computer brain and blowing his fuses. 

Grarg's manager and the scientist who built him are apologetic, and Johnny Cougar tells them that he forgives them as they are not criminals and that they have learnt their lesson. Thus we end with Johnny telling us that he needs to get back to wrestling, and this time facing some human opponents. 

Grarg was a great opponent, and although I expected Johnny Cougar to win using his brains, I was still disappointed in the weak way he was eventually defeated. I thought this final showdown may have stretched across several issues, and was surprised to see it finish in a single issue, The fight didn't even last the entire issue and we still had panels to spare to give us an introduction and a resolution. Seeing Grarg fall with smoke coming from his ears wasn't the thrill I expected, and although I enjoyed many aspects of this story, I felt cheated in this final issue. Still, everything looked good and it is hard to dislike anything in the story, although this was weaker than some of the other stories we have seen previously in Johnny Cougar.

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "I...I don't get it. The guys who did the hitting collapsed!"  

Hot Shot Hamish

Hamish is no longer being transferred, and Princes Park has just won a hectic Scottish Cup game. The only dark cloud is the injury to Donald McGregor, and that's where we start this week, with the team assembled around the table where he is stretched out. It is not as bad as it looks, and the doctor tells us that there's nothing to worry about, he has merely fainted with all the excitement. 

Using the funds raised by the fans, Princes Park began to rebuild their stand. They only have half the money required, but Mr McWhacker is sure they'll get the rest of the money needed by winning the Scottish Cup. 

Princes Park certainly looks a lot better than they did, and on the field, in their next league game, they play outstandingly well. Hamish leads the way with a hat-trick, while from the director's box, Mr McWhacker watches on. The gentleman next to Mr McWhacker enquires about Hamish's transfer and Mr McWhacker tells him that Hamish is no longer on the transfer list. The man expresses disappointment, telling him that he is interested in buying Hamish for four hundred thousand pounds. He thinks it's well worth it for a first-class international like Hamish. Mr McWhacker tells him that Hamish isn't an international player, but the gentleman corrects him, telling him that Hamish has been selected to play for Scotland. This leaves McWhacker with something to think about, and with four hundred thousand pounds he could pay for the new stand and two top-class replacements for Hamish. 

This new development is interesting and it looks as though once again Hamish may be on his way out. We had some great faces throughout the strip, and the images of the gentleman's face, as he negotiated for Hamish, looked fantastic. His face oozed wealth, and it was excellent work by the artist to express this in a single panel. I had to smile at the record offer of four hundred thousand pounds, it was another reminder of how much football has changed from the 1970s. Nowadays it would be an offer of one hundred million pounds to lure Hamish away. Still, this is part of the reason I read these comics, a warm nostalgia for simpler times. This week put us on firm ground for what comes next, and I read on with interest to see what the outcome of this will be.

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Och, you've not heard? Well, Hamish has been chosen to play for his country! Quite rightly, too...just look at him..."

Nipper

Nipper was outstanding in the reserves game and is now facing the fallout of this performance as director Clive Norton confronts him. The Blackport first team has lost by a solitary goal at home, and Norton lays the blame at the feet of Nipper, blaming him for the lack of crowd support as all the fans went to watch him rather than the first team. 

Nipper reacts angrily, and as Norton yells he is suspended until further notice, Nipper retorts that suits him fine. Seeking refuge at Kerry's, Nipper tells her brother Stan that he is going on strike until Andy Stewart is back in charge. Stan sees an opportunity and asks Nipper that since he isn't playing for Blackport, could he please play for his amateur team on the weekend. It's an offer Nipper can't refuse, and he readily agrees. 

Arriving at the field, Nipper and Stan change under the trees. There is a group of the amateur team's supporters there, and they tell Nipper they won't be going easy on him just because he's a star. Nipper tells them he's more than ready for them and the game begins.

Nipper soon learns that the supporters are correct, and a burly opposition player barges him over early in the match. Nipper is still wondering what hit him when a shiny luxury car pulls up. We can't see who is in it, but we do hear that they have arrived intending to sign Nipper for Gatesfield. 

The problem for Nipper is that Clive Norton is just as stubborn and quick to anger as he is. Both characters are similar in this respect, and that is the root cause of their current conflict. I like that about the story, and I'm enjoying seeing the two butting heads. Part of me is hoping that Nipper does make the move to Gatefield, but we'll have to wait and see. Nipper's storylines always move fairly quickly and this was no exception, with quite a bit happening across two pages. My heart lifted when we saw Kerry, and this time we saw a little more of her home life with Nipper talking with her brother Stan. It filled out Nipper's world a little more and added a touch more realism to his storyline. No football, but plenty of drama, this was a big step forward in Nipper's battle with Clive Norton, and it should all come to a head in the next couple of weeks. I can't wait to see if Nipper continues on as a Blackport player, or if he will make a move.  

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Why not? It's a game of footer, isn't it? And if old Norton finds out, he can't suspend me, because he's done that already! Ya-haaaaa!"

Billy's Boots

At the end of last week, Billy was concerned that he might not be named in the first team again now that Granger is returning from injury. He needn't have worried for Jimmy tells him that Mister Renton, the sports master, has put up the team for the next game and Billy is in. 

The next game is against Candale School, who currently sit at the top of the league. Gossiping with his friends, Billy learns that Candale's pitch is terrible and that it has a slope on it.

Billy is still thinking about this when he gets home, and as bad weather closes in on Friday evening, he heads home to read Dead-shot Keen's book to see if he ever faced anything similar. He had, although in his case he was playing on a water-logged pitch that was almost unplayable, even for a player of his high skill. Dead-shot survived the game, but the following week was in bed with a severe chill, a fact that set alarm bells ringing in Billy's mind. 

Game day arrives with bad weather and heavy rain. The Candale School pitch is covered in water, and after some debate, it is decided that the game can be played. On the pitch both teams struggle, especially Billy who has a terrible afternoon and spends most of the game falling into the water.    

With a minute left, Candale scores the winning goal. However Billy is too wet to care, and as expected is already beginning to show symptoms of a cold. And so it comes to pass, and when his Gran goes to raise him from his bed on Monday Billy is sick with a nasty cold. However, Billy denies it and is soon off to school despite his illness, hoping that he can still make the team for the Saturday cup game. 

 A predictable story and it ended as we all knew it would. On the way there we didn't get some exciting panels, and some nice artwork as Billy throughs himself into the game, and the water. I enjoyed the spectacle of it, and considering it is a story about a boy catching a cold, it was surprisingly thrilling. We also managed to get plenty of Billy's Gran into the story, something that always warms the pages and adds some depth to Billy's character. Here she was in top form, berating him for getting sick, while earlier she silently complained about Billy reading at the table. She is a treasure, and Billy is lucky to have her in his life. In fact, we are all lucky to have her, and I'm rating the story highly, based purely on her strong role.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "You out to stay in bed, young man. You were coughing all night. You've caught a nasty cold!" 

Tallon Of The Track 

This week the mystery of the balalaika is finally solved. As Sven and Jo speak to the old Russian man in his hospital bed it seems like he is about to tell all, but they are interrupted just as he mentions the words 'stolen' and 'jewels'

Back at their hotel, Sven notices that the balalaika has a rattle to it, and pully it apart he finds a diamond necklace hidden in the instrument. Jo puts it all together quickly, explaining that the jewels must be stolen, and this is the perfect way of smuggling them out of the country. 

Deciding the best thing they can do is take them home, and hope they can catch the men behind it when they attempt to snatch the jewels, they board their plane and fly back to Heathrow, Sure enough, just after they pass through customs, a mystery man grabs the balalaika and makes a dash for it. He is fast, but Jo is faster, and pushing a luggage trolly at him, she knocks him over and retrieves the jewels. 

And that's all there is. No explanation of who the man is, or why he chose Jo and her team. Neither do find out the source of the stolen jewels, and the story ends on an unsatisfactory note. I would have liked just a line or two more to fill out the story, but it never came. We don't even know where the old man fits in the story. As I said last week, I have never taken to this storyline, and it is with some relief that I read the final line "A great new Jo Tallon story starts next week." I for one can't wait, and I'm immensely pleased that this overstretched Russian storyline has finally finished.   

Rating: 4/10

Best line: "And before he's deported, he can pay for this little lot! He's broken two strings on my guitar!"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6.5/10

Best Story: Billy's Boots

Best Line: "The times I've told that boy about reading at the table! It's like talking to a brick wall..."

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: 

Tiger 5th April 1975

It's been a busy weekend, and it took me three attempts to read this week's comic. Strange to think that when I was a child I thought that grown-ups could do whatever they want, whenever they want. Reality is a hard teacher, and I now know there is barely a moment of the day that belongs to me, especially Monday to Friday. Even so, nibbling at this week's comic has proven to be just the tonic for an otherwise busy life, and we had some brilliant moments in this week's comic. Nipper ended this week's issue on a high, but there is plenty to enjoy before that, with seven other stories all delivering a variety of drama and humour, some better than others of course, but that's all subjective and completely at my discretion.  

Tiger

5th April 1975

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy and his Rovers are facing a hostile reception from the Zarnov home fans as they prepare for their second leg of the European cup-winners cup quarter-final. 

The team has spent the night at the stadium and, unknown to the mob outside, is currently running a training session. This doesn't last long, and as a Zarnov fan pops his head over the fence, Roy and his men are sighted and soon running for cover as cans and bricks are thrown at them.

Tearse words are exchanged with the Zarnov players as they prepare for the match, and five minutes after kickoff the trouble starts. A heavy tackle by a Zarnov player goes unpunished and it is clear that the referee is scared stiff to blow his whistle. 

Despite the tense atmosphere, Roy plays well and it looks as though he is about to create a chance for Blackie when he is struck in the head by a can thrown from the crowd. 

Again the referee remains silent, and it is all too much for Lofty Peak who loses his temper. As the opposing player dribbles away with the ball at his feet, Lofty luges at him from behind, bringing him down just outside of the penalty area. 

The referee blows for a free kick, but with the crowd at full throat, he confers with an equally nervous linesman, before deciding that it is actually inside the box and worthy of a penalty.

There is nothing Roy can do but watch on helplessly as the penalty is converted and think that as things stand they have very little chance of getting back into the game. 

This story is reaching its apex, and all the hard work put into the earlier issues is coming to fruition as Roy battles the Zarnov team, and the intimidated officials. We have a good mix of on-field and off-field drama, and both combine to give us a well-balanced and interesting storyline. It's all supported by a strong sense of storytelling in the artwork, and the strips are both visually and mentally stimulating. Roy is giving us a solid football story, rooted in the realities of the time, and I am enjoying every moment of it. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Hey, ref - lost your whistle?"

Skid Solo 

Skid is back on track and testing his new Grand Prix car. As is the way with these things, he encounters the unpredictable as a horse and rider are on the track, forcing him into evasive action. 

It's a close thing, and it is only through his driving skill that Skid avoids disaster. Back at the pits, Skid is speaking with Sandy when the horseman comes over to apologise. The horse had bolted and he had no control of him.

Skid takes this moment to give their new apprentice mechanic, Tommy Carter, a life lesson, and he reminds him that a good driver should be prepared for anything. Tommy takes it onboard and tells Skid that he will be sure to remember that when he starts to drive. 
Skid is surprised to learn that he doesn't drive yet, and immediately takes him out in a small, sedate, vehicle for a lesson. 

Tommy is delighted and proves to be a quick learner. Pleased with his ability, Skid takes him for a second lesson. However, this time things don't go so well, and in the final panels, Tommy too faces a horse running onto the track. Braking as hard as he can, he finds the car isn't stopping in time, and we are faced with a possible crash going into next week's issue. 

I say possible crash because I suspect that Tommy will find a way to avoid it, based on Skid's earlier lesson to be prepared for anything. The clean lines of the artwork helped move this simple story along smoothly and my eye moved swiftly across the page. Nice to see Tommy already behind the wheel, and based on what we see here I predict a bright future for him. The joy on his face brightened the whole comic, and as I mentioned last week, he is the most relatable character of this story for any young boy reading. I'm not so sure that a runaway horse on the track is believable, but I am happy to forgo believability for the sake of Tommy to advance his driving. Lowkey drama with characters I'd like to be around makes this a steady entry for the annuals of Skid Solo. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "I watched ye go round...the lad'll make a bonny driver! He's got his wits about him!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

First run of their hill climb and Tiny and Martin have already managed to cover a television crew in a shower of mud. 

The commentator is far from impressed and lets those watching at home exactly what has happened, only to receive another spray of mud as the boys drive off. 

They are second after their first run, and watching their competitors they find the time to beat is four minutes and one second. Giving their all, they manage to beat this time in their final attempt and emerge victorious with a cheque for two hundred and fifty pounds.

It seems that for now, their troubles are over, but as they speed away from the event Tiny accidentally loses the cheque out the window. Quickly stopped in they see it has blown into a field, but as they arrive on the scene they find that a pig has got to it and is eating it. 

A very amusing end to the strip, and one I did not expect as we watched the boys compete in the hill climb. The look on the faces of Tiny and Martin says it all, and given the size of the pigs in the final panel, I don't think they will be retrieving the cheque anytime soon. The hill climb also started amusingly, with just a shade of drama and conflict between the camera crew and the two pals. It was a gentle conflict, and easily resolved by the end of the race with no further damage. Such is the gentle nature of this story and the characters. I admire it for this and find the world the characters live in to be soothing compared to the world we currently live in. It is a beautiful escapism and a lovely way to spend five minutes. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "So the hill climb is won by Martin Baker and Tiny Hill in their mini...after that performance, I'll just have to forgive them for all that mud-slinging!" 

Tallon Of The Track 

Ugh, the balalaika is back. After it was mysteriously stolen, Sven has now found it returned in the changing room. Jo tells Sven to lock the stupid thing away and to forget about it, and reading here at home I agree with every word. 

Out on the track, Dave is taking part in heat seven, and with a demonstration of great riding leads the team home for a one-two finish and maximum points. This lifts the team, and the rest of the meeting is theirs, eventually emerging winners by forty-two points to thirty-six.

With talk of flying home to Britain, it seems our Soviet adventure is over, but there's one final matter to attend to. Sven wants to thank the old man who gave him the balalaika, and the next day Jo and Sven make their way across Moscow to the hospital where the old man is. Sven immediately asks the obvious question - what is the balalaika mystery all about, to which the man replies, in the final words of the strip, that he must examine the balalaika very carefully. 

I look forward to the return to Britain and hope I never have to type the word "balalaika" ever again. I am curious to see how this ends, although at no point in this story was I ever excited about it. The racing looked great on the page, but was ultimately boring, while the reappearance of the balalaika was put to one side for the majority of the strip, only to resurface as a plot point in the final two panels. Next week will give us some closure, and I for one cannot wait until we are back in Britain and back to some proper speedway action.

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "Calm down, Sven, you're practically dragging my arm off!"

Johnny Cougar with Spash Gorton 

Grarg the robot is causing destruction in a small Yorkshire village and now has his eyes firmly on the wrestling contest taking place in the local hall. With a sword in hand, nothing can stop him, and he smashes his way into the hall to confront the wrestlers in the ring. 

For a brief moment, the wrestlers eye him up, planning to throw him from the ring, but Grarg is too strong, and quickly grabs both men by the throat and tosses them off the apron, knocking them both out. 

At that moment, Johnny arrives outside of the hall, and seeing the damage assumes that Grarg must be within. Johnny climbs into the ring to face Grarg, and Grarg announces his intentions by lashing out at Johnny with a fearsome blow that destroys the ring post. Thus the scene is set for a battle between the two, a battle we shall have to come back next week to witness. 

We have already seen one battle between Grag and Johnny, and one would assume that this fight will end the same, with Johnny defeated at the hands of the robot. However, now Johnny knows what he is up against I expect he shall use his brains rather than his brawn to beat Grag, and this is the hook that makes me want to return next week. This week didn't greatly progress the story, it was more about moving the pieces into place for this final confrontation. Grarg bashed his way into the ring, and now Johnny has arrived next to him. It took a couple of pages for this to happen, although we had plenty along the way to demonstrate the enormity of the task ahead of Johnny, Next week will bring it all together, and the match should be a battle for the ages. I'll be here, you should too. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Ticket please! You can't g-get in free, just because you're w-waving a sword!" 

Hot Shot Hamish 

It's the day of the vital cup tie against Westboro' and Princes Park has arrived in the back of a lorry after a bus crash the night before. With three injured players, Donald McGregor, the boot boy, has been drafted into the side, and he looks pretty nervous as they take to the field. 

Hamish promises to look after him, and as the game begins it is Westboro' who takes the initiative, constantly attacking Princes Park's goal for the first twenty minutes. 

Princes Park weathers this storm, and their defenders gradually take control. The ball falls to young Donald, and he pokes it through a gap where Hamish unleashes the hot-shot. It cannons off the crossbar, falling fortuitously at the feet of Donald who easily enough chips it in. 

Donald is overjoyed, but his work is far from finished. With a one-nil lead, Princes Park is forced to defend for the second half, and Donald proves his worth, clearing the ball off the line when it seems an equaliser is about to be scored. With time almost up on the clock, he is forced into one final defensive action, and as he goes to clear the ball upfield he is heavily tackled by two Westboro' players. 

The whistle is blown for full-time, and the Princes' players celebrate their hard-fought victory and progression to the semi-final Coming off the field for a well-earned hot bath they fail to notice that Donald isn't with them. It is Hamish who realises that he has collapsed out on the field, and the big man goes back to collect him. Walking off with the boy in his arms, Hamish informs Mister McWhacker he needs a doctor, and fast.

Gripping stuff, and although we have seen similar stories before, I still felt myself caught up in the drama of the game. Like Skid Solo and Tommy Carter, Donald McGregor was a relatable character for any young boy reading, and seeing his delight in scoring a goal is a dream come true. Even fifty-year-old me would love to score a goal for Princes Park in front of the crowd. The humour was low-key this week, but with drama ratcheted up to ten, I barely noticed, so caught up as I was in the game. A poignant moment at the end of the game as Hamish carried Donald off the pitch, I felt a tug at my heart and an urgent need to pick up the next issue to see what happens. Once again, Hot Shot Hamish gets the balance right throughout the story and is one of the stronger strips in the comic. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Kick it anywhere! Over the stand will do!"     

Billy's Boots

Billy Dane and Jimmy Dawson are excited by the prospect of the final of the schools' cup which is being played at a first-division club's ground in London. First, there is the small matter of the semi-final. Thoughts of the semi-final dominate their thoughts throughout the week leading up to the game, and Billy can barely concentrate on his class lessons. The teacher becomes aware of this distraction, and Billy is forced to write five hundred lines as punishment. 

The football team rallies around to help, each writing lines for him and emulating his handwriting style. After handing in his lines, Billy is allowed on the team coach. He thinks they have got away with it, but in the classroom the teacher can see immediately the handwriting styles are all different. He tells the sports master that he can see at least half the football team's effort there, but no punishment is meted out as they decide that it shows good team spirit. 

At the game, the Groundswood team is nervous, and so is their opposition, Calderwell. It is Calderwell who makes the most mistakes early on, and Groundwood is on the attack with the winger launching a cross for Billy to latch onto. Billy jumps for the header and nods it back to Jimmy just like they practiced. Jimmy makes no mistake with his shot, and the ball hits the back of the net for the first goal of the game.

One goal becomes three as Billy scores before Jimmy gets his second. Three-nil is how the game ends and Groundwood are through to the final in London. In the dressing room, Billy is excited but is soon brought back to earth by the comment that Granger will be fit for the final and Billy might not be picked for the team.

Such is the world of Billy Dane, sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down. The game was good this week, and Billy played well, which is all we can ask. The real joy of the comic though was the scenes of Billy sitting distractedly in class and being punished. Instantly relatable, I remember feeling well, and reading this I was taken right back to when I was a lad. Seeing the team come to Billy's aid was a warm moment, although it was eclipsed by the even better scene immediately after when the two teachers could see what was going on but elected not to punish the boys. Wonderful to read on the page and far better than the game could ever hope to be. Billy is back on the downward spiral for next week's issue, we shall see just how bad things get for him, but I have a feeling that everything will turn out just right. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "I should imagine that at least half the football team worked on Dane's lines for him. Well, it shows a good team spirit...this time I'll let him get away with it!" 

Nipper

Nipper's game for the reserve team is going extremely well, and in front of Nipper's adoring fans, they soon have a four-nil lead, with Nipper bagging an early hat-trick. It's a massacre, and the visiting managers decide they have seen enough, deciding to leave the game early.

Meanwhile, at Blackport stadium, the fans that have turned up for Blackport's game start chanting they want Nipper, much to the chagrin of Blackport's director, Norton.  Angrily waving his players forward, the inevitable happens and they concede a goal when Redstone counter-attacks. 

At the end of the game, the Blackport team trudge off to the boos of their own fans. Back in the dressing room, the results of the other matches roll in and they are shocked to hear that the reserve team has won by an incredible nine goals to two, with Nipper scoring seven of those goals. 

The team talk of Nipper's success, while a fuming Clive Norton listens in from the corridor. Storming back to his office, Norton takes a call from the manager of Gateshead, who is keen to sign up Nipper. We don't know the outcome of the call, but the final panel of the story shows Norton looking out his office window at the cheering fans as the reserves arrive back from their game, and thinking to himself that it is time he had a final showdown with Nipper.

Seven goals was stretching it a bit, but it made the story's outcome inevitable and left no doubt that this was the only possible path for Norton. Aside from the seven goals, the rest of the storyline was tight and we had a great contrast between the two teams as Blackport looked woeful in Nipper's absence. The drama of the strip was highlighted by the excellent artwork this week, and we had several marvellous panels where the expressions captured what was happening beautifully. The pick of them was the moment Norton took the call in his office. His face looks devious and crafty, while the face of the watching secretary looks aghast at what is about to unfold. A superb panel, it is a story unto itself and worth savouring. Artwork like this is why I hold Tiger comic in such esteem, and it looks even better blown up large on my computer screen.  

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "My turn now! I may be small, but I can bloomin' well jump!"

 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Roy Of The Rovers

Best Line: "Anyway, lock that stupid thing away and forget about it! We have the rest of the speedway meeting to worry about!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz:

Tiger 29th March 1975

I have the week off work. You might think that means a week of reading comics, supping beers, and falling asleep in the garden. Apparently not - my wife has other ideas, and most of them involve spending money. Still, the worst day at home is better than the best day at work, and I am enjoying a longer breakfast in the morning while managing to snatch an extra hour in the afternoon with my comics. Only another twenty years until I retire, and then every day can be like this.          

Tiger

29th March 1975

Billy's Boots

Billy Dane is on the cover of this week's issue, taking the field in the quarter-finals of the school's cup. The big defenders of the opposing side have taken their toll on the first-choice Groundwood centre forward, and he is carried off the field, leaving Billy to step up and face this imposing defence. 

The Springfield team have Billy's Groundwood struggling, and despite some heroic efforts by the goalkeeper, Groundwood concede a goal, making the score one-one.

The game continues apace, the minutes ticking by and the Groundwood boys cheering on their school team. Billy has not touched the ball, with the game being all defence and nothing coming his way. 

Eventually, this changes and Billy finds the ball coming his way. With a defender on his back, there is little time to think, and Billy finds his magical boots taking control of the situation. A deft flick sees Billy lobbing the ball over the defender and he breaks into space. He wants to shoot as the keeper comes towards him, but the boots continue to do as they will and Billy finds himself dribbling the ball around the goalkeeper and into the net. 

The ecstatic crowd flood onto the pitch, and with time up on the clock, the game ends at this point. As the hero of the moment, Billy is carried off the field on the shoulders of his peers, and his team are through to the semi-finals. 

The following Wednesday the team is named for the semifinal. Billy has retained his place and is now joined by his good friend Jimmy Dawson. Determined to be at their peak, the two boys begin training again and look to cook up something special for the semifinal. Consulting his trusty book on Dead-shot Keen's life, Billy finds that Keen also had a unique connection with one of his teammates. Reading that the two of them had a special move involving a headed pass backwards, Billy and Jimmy decide to give it a go in the semifinal. 

Not what I expected, and all the better for it. Yes, we did have a lot of the boots taking control. We also had plenty of the friendship between Billy and Jimmy, something which I was delighted to see. I was also heartened by the happy outcome of the football game. There are times when Billy's boots, and particularly Billy's life, can feel a bit miserable. Any positive outcome helps lift the feeling of the comic, and in this case, not only did Billy score a goal, but the game finished with a victory and Billy was named in the team again with his best friend. Surely that must bring a smile to the face of our boy Billy. A well-balanced issue, with good football action and a storyline clearly defined and moving forward, this was just the start we need for this week's Tiger. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Right, Dane...on you go! The defenders are big and tough...but you can beat 'em if you use your skill!"

Skid Solo

Young Tommy Carter is back again, strolling up to Skid and Sandy who are at work in the pits. He wants nothing more but to sit and watch, and as Skid drives out onto the track Tommy sits with Sandy.

On the track, Skid considers how lonely Tommy must be, and how he will miss them once they return to Britain. Returning from his lap, he finds that Tommy is now helping Sandy to work on an engine, and showing a fair amount of ability while he's at it. 

The rest of the week passes like this and soon it's time for Skid and Sandy to return to Britain. At Tommy's house, we see that his living situation with his relatives is dire, and after an argument, he tells his caregivers that he is going to Britain with Skid and Sandy to learn to be a mechanic. 

Later at the airport, Skid and Sandy arrive to find Tommy's relatives waiting for them, with Tommy in tow. Handing over his passport, they thank Skid for taking off their hands, and if he hadn't they would have been taking Tommy to the authorities. 

Skid is surprised, as he knows nothing of what they speak, they're has been no discussion of anything of the sort with Tommy. However, Tomy's relatives soon leave, and Skid notices that Tommy has vanished. he is found not far away, and tells Skid that he told his relatives this tall tale to get away from the, 

Skid tells him to get in the car they've got a plane to catch. Sandy backs him up, and it's quickly agreed that Toomy can join them, with Sandy taking him on as an apprentice. The story ends happily as the three of them drive toward the plane that will fly them back to Britain. 

This was a nice way to introduce a new character, and although the story didn't advance, it was necessary to build the character of Tommy Carter into the story. Since the departure of Sparrow Smith to a rival team, there has been a void of a young and relatable character in Skid's team. Tommy Carter plays out every young boy's fantasy as he joins as an apprentice to one of the greats of the motorsport world and gives the reader, primarily young men, a relatable perspective. Low in drama, yet important to the world being built around Skid Solo, this story was satisfying without being demanding. A lot of that satisfaction is derived from owning what a mainstay of the comic Tommy Carter will be, and seeing him given a suitable backstory that adds an interesting slant to the character. We should be back to the more familiar Skid Solo tropes next week, and for now, this was a nice building block in a much larger story. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Look, son...get in the car. We've got a plane to catch!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin and Tiny are back in Britain and need to raise some money. George has been repaired, but the mini that the ship's captain lent them needs some costly work, and the two boys are soon towing the red mini from the track and heading into the village.

Here more trouble finds them and after the tow rope snaps and the red mini ends up in a river they are facing a much larger repair bill. 

Back at home, they ponder on how they can generate some more cash and Tiny finds what seems to be the perfect solution - Hill-climbing. There is an event nearby, and with cash prizes on offer, it looks just the ticket. 

Two days later they enter the event and after watching several competitors take on the hill it is their turn. They are fast, as observed by many in the crowd, although they find they are too fast as Martin loses control on one of the corners. Sliding towards a TV camera it looks bad for two pals, although we never see it on the page. Those watching at home suddenly find their TVs have gone blank and it is assumed that they have crashed into the camera. 

I love a good hill-climb story, and I'm sure we have this event several times across the years of Martin's Marvellous Mini. We are back in Britain, and everything feels as though it's back on an even keel as George slews his way up a muddy road. With this familiarity comes a warm feeling, and this week's story doesn't put a foot wrong throughout. There is humour, more disaster for the boys, and a shot at redemption, all neatly spread across two pages. All of it is charming, and it's a hard man who reads these stories without a smile on his face. A great little package, and like the mini itself, everything is beautifully constructed on a small scale. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "Hill-climbing! That's great...we'll enter George! He can do anything!" 

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

The saga of Grarg, the robot wrestler, continues this week. Grarg is out of control and in the countryside, although not for long as he soon approaches a small village.

Meanwhile, in the castle, Johnny confronts Grarg's manager, Jacob Barclay, and tells him that they must do something. Jacob stammers that there is nothing he can do - he had intended for Grarg to become a sporting superstar, not go on the rampage like this. Johnny is tired of this talk and leads them out of the castle in search of Grarg. 

In the village, Grarg smashes up the village store, before moving on. Johnny and the others arrive to find a policeman taking a report from locals who observed the attack and quickly asks one of the witnesses which direction Grag went. 

Grarg is already on the other side of the village, where he smashes through the wall of a house and throws the occupant and the bath he is sitting, in out of the window and into the village duck pond. 

Next, he heads to the village hall, and as he enters we see the sign outside which advertises a wrestling tournament which is taking place at this very moment. 

We can already see what will happen next and expect to see Johnny in the ring with Grarg very soon, if not the next issue then certainly the one after. This issue primarily showed the strengths of Grarg, and without a direct conflict with Johnny, the story was broken up into several vignettes of Grarg wreaking destruction on various parts of the village. Once again the character is well established as an unbeatable monster, and the scene is set for a showdown with Cougar. It seemed a little too neat that there just so happened to be a wrestling tournament taking place in the village, but it is what it is, and will bring the story to a suitable conclusion in the next couple of issues. No action this week, it will all be happening in the next issue, and I for one can't wait to see Johnny Cougar lock up against this seemingly unbeatable robot.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "How dashed embarrassing!" 

Roy Of The Rovers

Rovers have landed at Zarnov airport for their second leg against Dynamo Zarnov, and the reception they receive upon landing is hot, to say the least. A crowd of Zarnov supporters have turned up, and the Rovers receive a torrent of abuse as they exit the plane. 

They are wondering how they will make it past this angry mob when suddenly a minibus pulls up, and with a yell, they all jump aboard. There is no time to pause and consider where the bus has come from, already objects are being thrown at it, and they quickly speed off.

The Rovers speak with the reporters on the bus, and thank them for arranging this. The reporters tell Roy they have nothing to do with it. There is some concern as there is no connecting door between them and the driver, and there is a brief second of worry that they have been kidnapped. 

However, they arrive at their hotel safely. Quickly looking in the driver's window, they find that the driver has already scarpered, but not before leaving a note. It's the same type of mystery note they have been receiving for several weeks, and this one urges them to stay at the stadium rather than the hotel.

Seeing a mob of angry fans down the road, Roy can see the sense in this and pushes the Rovers to get back on the bus. It's a quick drive to the stadium, and soon they have set up mattresses in here changing room and are ready to settle in for an unusual night. Roy is worried that tomorrow will be worse, and this is just the beginning of their troubles. 

I enjoyed this issue a lot and found it quite believable. It may seem strange now to see the team bed down at the stadium, but I well remember the 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand, when the Springboks were forced to sleep at the stadium the night before due to concerns that protestors would close all routes to the ground the day of the game. Only a few years after the comic I now have in my hands, it seems all too real as I read Roy's story. Let's hope that Rover's game against Zarnov is less eventful than the Springbok's game against the All Blacks. As for the mystery notes, they have become tiresome and it's time to move on. The drama against Zarnov is enough, and the mystery van driver and notes are a distraction compared to the far more compelling football story currently taking place. That football story should come to full fruition next week. With everything primed and in its place, we should be in for a great issue, let's hope it delivers.

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "...but this is most irregular! Sleeping accommodation the stadium has not got, Sir!" 

Nipper 

Nipper is playing for the Blackport Reserve team, and attracting most of the Blackport fans to the away game against Kelford. 

It's not just the Blackport fans who have made the journey to see Nipper, in the crowd a host of First Division managers are in attendance, all hoping to sign Nipper on transfer. 

Inspired by the appearance of these managers, the Blackport reserve team give it their all, all hoping that they might be signed. On the other side of the coin, the Kelford players decide that they won't be guinea pigs in this show, and from the start, they resort to rough-house tactics to upset Nipper. 

Nipper stays resolute, and demonstrating his football nouse, he outsmarts Kelford to earn his first goal. His second goal comes shortly after as the game becomes Nipper's show. All the while, the visiting managers are visibly impressed, and each has aspirations to sign Nipper. 

A pure football strip, this story remained firmly on the rails and gave us just what we needed, a celebration of football. Some of the distractions of previous Nipper stories are dispensed with, and what we have here is the essence of the story - a young man with a football at his feet. We saw plenty of Nipper's character shining through with his toughness, and fury, all making an appearance, along with the young impulsive energy that he carries. It was uplifting to see him overcoming his previous problems, and even in the reserve team, he is still finding positives and the story is quickly advancing. Needless to say, I'm a fan.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "In that case, let's put on a show for 'em, lads! Maybe we'll all get snapped up!"

Hot Shot Hamish

Speaking of transfers, Hamish Balfour also looks like he may be leaving his team. Needing money to repair the stand, Mister McWhacker has put Hamish on the transfer list, desperately attempting to raise more funds for the club.  

The fans are not happy with this turn of events, and they soon mobilize to raise the required funds to institute the repairs. A variety of schemes take place on the page, and it seems that enough has been done to keep Hamish at the club.

Prince Park's next game is against Westboro' Town and will be played at a neutral ground due to the unsafe condition of Princes Park ground. 

It's a wet and wild day, and the bus is shown driving through heavy rain on its way to the game. The inevitable happens, and as visibility becomes worse the bus suddenly has to take evasive action as a lorry comes from the opposite direction, and it ends up on its side in a ditch.

Emerging from the wreckage, a majority of the players are uninjured. However, three players have minor complaints, and with only two reserves, it looks like the team will be short for the game. However, they have fifteen-year-old Donald McGregor with them, currently the boot boy, but about to become the vital eleventh member of the team.

The stand-out part of this story was the artwork. Every panel of art added extra layers of interest to the story being told, and the panels of the bus in the driving rain were especially compelling. The drama was tucked away in the second part of the story, while the first part of the story contained a heavy dose of humour that carried us swiftly along. It was a lot of fun seeing the money-making schemes, and the moments when aspersions were cast upon Hamish's intellect also brought a smile to my face. Beautifully balanced, and with more of the same to come, this was a strong strip for Hot Shot Hamish and points to a bright future.

Rating: 8/10

Bets line: "Hamish would sell twice as many photographs if he could write his name a wee bit faster! He's a slow mon wi' a pen!"  

Tallon Of The Track

Sven has suddenly swerved off the track, and down the stadium tunnel, much to the horror of Jo who expected him to win his heat. We see the cause of his decision immediately this week, a strange man is running off with Sven's precious balalaika. Jumping from his bike, Sven runs down the corridor, only to be knocked out by a single blow from the man he is chasing.  

Jo and Dave help Sven to his feet but there is nothing more they can do. Things get worse with the appearance of three race officials. Sven's erratic behaviour cannot be condoned, and he is duly suspended for the rest of the meeting. 

The next race the Ospreys give a good account of themselves, but it's not enough, and the Russians earn enough points to hold their overall lead. There is one final twist just as the race ends, with Sven emerging from the dressing room, yelling to Jo that she has to come and see what he has found. 

I am enjoying the race meeting. The balalaika storyline, not so much. I always tell people how much I like Tallon of The Track, however as I read it week after week I am finding I am constantly disappointed by the direction of the story. It is the artwork that I truly love in the comic, and this week is another fine example of the art I enjoy so much. The bikes on the track look fantastic, the faces of the characters of the story are all expressive and realistic, and the drama off the track is captured simply and in a manner that makes me want to read more. The panel of Sven being punched is a fine example, just his face and fist, but it is fabulous. Russia and the story of balalaika pales in comparison, and I have no interest at all in what they are doing and why. Yet, I continue to read, drawn invariably to the artwork and clinging to the hope that soon a story will arrive worthy of it. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "But why? What's so special about that wretched instrument?" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Hot Shot Hamish 

Best Line: "It took him a lot of practice before he could write his name at all! He's no' a great scholar!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: