Tiger 26th January 1974

 What an irresistible cover we have this week. Skid Solo in colour, caught in the heat of the chariot race that has been promised for a couple of weeks now. It's hard to see how the contents within the comic might reach these heights promised, and this may well be as good as it gets this week. We will see, but what a splendid start.  

Tiger

26th January 1974

Skid Solo

I am pleased to report that the story this week lives up to its cover billing. I appreciate that the writer and artist have dropped us right in the middle of the race from the start, there is no build-up, just action from the start as we arrive midrace. On the negative side, the race wraps up in this single issue, as does the whole storyline. After a month's build-up, the conclusion arrives swiftly and we move briskly on. The race itself is fun, Skid and his nemesis battling throughout, before Skid triumphs on the final lap. Winners check in hand, and the final panels have them flying back to Britain for the next story. Overall, the cover was the highlight, the race itself second, and the conclusion a distant third as the story is wrapped up and we are bundled off. Enjoyable, but I feel it was a missed opportunity with the rushed ending. Let's see what awaits us next week. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Well, it's back to Britain..that was surely a strange holiday, Skid!" 

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

The story in Johnny Cougar is bubbling away nicely, and this week it continues to move forward at a steady and satisfying pace. With Splash knock unconscious on the boat with the atomic bomb, Johnny is the focus of all the action as he continues wrestling. The artwork is great at demonstrating the bone-crunching action, and one can feel the blows as Johnny and his opponent compete. It is Splash's penguin that brings the story back to Splash, as he swims to shore to warn Johnny in the ring, just as Johnny himself receives a headbutt that leaves him down for the count. There is an urgency to his wrestling as he wants to find Splash, but the final panel sees him taking another knee to the head. The art is the star of this week's issue, and as much as I enjoyed the cover image of Skid Solo, there is plenty in this Johnny Cougar story that matches it. A good solid issue, and another consistent entry into the Johnny Cougar canon.   

Rating: 7.5/10

Best Line:  "B-by the spirits...it is the ice-bird!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

We last saw the boys being asleep and being towed into the countryside by two disgruntled lorry drivers. This week they awake in a field, twenty-five miles from the start of the rally. One can already see what comes next, as our two heroes set off via a cross-country shortcut to reach the start line. This is the bulk of this week's storyline and is totally enjoyable without being too taxing. After beginning the next stage from tenth, they manage to get up to ninth place in the final panel, leaving plenty to do in next week's issue. There are several memorable panels, but none more so than when they first awake in a field of cows and for me this is as good as it gets this week. While not essential, it remains as feel-good as ever and brightens my day considerably.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "That...that was a cow! They...they don't have cows in the side-streets where we parked!"

The Tigers

Chunky's luck carries The Tigers this week in an enjoyable romp. As Ron Burton digs up a loft tank, lucky Chunky finds an old Roundheads helmet from Cromwell's time. His luck doesn't end there, there is also some luck at play as they race back to the organisers with their prize. Not to be outdone, Ron Burton also has a stroke of luck in the final panels as a rare coin falls from the metal detector. This story is well balanced between all this luck, humour, and action that keeps the story moving forward. A far superior story than last week's issue, and once again I am happy to chuckle my way through The Tigers

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "this is the easiest way to carry it- I bet old Cromwell would have a shock if he knew he'd invented a crash helmet!"

Roy Of The Rovers

I had a false start this week with Roy Of The Rovers as I initially misread Carford as Catford, conjuring bad memories of a girlfriend I once had from Catford. However, once I sorted myself out, I found this week's issue to be very good indeed, and I was hooked from the first panel to the last. Giles still has a bee in his bonnet and is agitated throughout the story as the game against Carford begins. After picking up a yellow for a tough tackle, things escalate until by the final panel he has given away a penalty and is facing a possible red card. The on-field action looks great, and I am curious to see what will happen next. There is also a rare mistake from Charlie 'The Cat' which is unusual to see and adds some colour to the strip. The introduction of a new character, a superfan of ten years, also has me interested, and I will be watching closely to see how he will influence the story in the coming weeks.  Roy Of The Rovers is always at its best when it focuses on football action, and we have plenty of that this week. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "Oh no! Geoffs going after him like a fireball..!"

Football Family Robinson 

Oh no, Bluey's trapped in the van! I had completely forgotten where we are over the last seven days, but it comes back to me in a flash as I begin Football Family Robinson. All thoughts of Diggers money is forgotten as this issue is all about Bluey. In fact, Digger barely mentions his money and remains solely concerned about Bluey the kangaroo throughout. The plot is fairly simple, a car chase after the van, then once the van has crashed all focus is on the whereabouts of Bluely who has escaped after the crash. Digger only has thoughts for Bluey, and he can barely perform in goal, setting the family worrying about the next game. The artwork of Digger's face is particularly emotive and for me the key to this story. I may not find much to enjoy about the car chase and police action, but the characters are what make Football Family Robinson what it is, and there is plenty to draw from as we see them interact through the story. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "Never mind the money. Where's me mate, Bluey?"

A Horse Called Ugly

I love a good mystery stranger, and that's exactly what I get at the end of this week's story. But first, we have the reunion of Ugly and Joe, a daring escape from Lopez, and an extra passenger in the form of Sancho who Joe rescues in the mayhem. It feels like a lot is crammed into the first page and a half, and it is great to see Joe and Ugly back together again. It is the final panels that are the most interesting for me though, as a mysterious stranger appears, gun in hand and looking for Ugly. A beautiful hook to end with, and paired with beautiful art throughout, I will definitely be looking forward to reading this story next week.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Gringo I do not understand. Where did you get this amazing 'orse?" 

Tallon Of The Track

Tallon Of The Track was easily the best story last week, but it fails to reach the same heights this week. It starts promisingly with the Dave storyline continuing as Jo rushes to cliffs before he can do anything foolish. However, it is all very anti-climatic as Dave reveals he has no intention of jumping and was just gathering his thoughts before he leaves the town and speedway forever. We jump from here back to the speedway storyline as Jo takes the team to Paris to compete. The first race goes well and we end the issue as Jo sights Dave in the crowd. The artwork remains brilliant, and even though the story slowed down this week, there was still much to recommend it. It would be impossible to be as good as last week, but this remains a very strong story and finishes the comic on a high.  

Best line:  "Dave! Don't!"

Rating: 7.5/10

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Johnny Cougar 

Best Line:  "You can't beat Blackball for a holiday..."

Best Panel:

Tiger 19th January 1974

We are moving out of the holiday season in this week's Tiger and find ourselves in the midst of the football season. As all football fans will tell you, after Christmas is when the season begins to heat up, so it is appropriate that the cover image of Roy Of The Rovers drops us right into the action. Time for some League Cup football, and the Rovers battling Brentwick. 

Tiger

19th January 1974

Roy Of The Rovers

The Rovers are on for the cup double, winning both the League Cup and F.A. Cup in the same season. This will be the driving force for the coming issues and we get off to a fast start here with Roy curving in a freekick on the front cover. Another great goal for Roy and the artwork looks equally superb in colour. After clinging on for victory, Rovers are whisked to the coast for some rest and recreation, but as is the way with young men, they can't help but smuggle along a football for a quick game on the beach. This part of the story appeals to me, and I empathise with the players and their competitive nature. The second half of the story also reads well in these modern times, as the players watch a footballer from the past talking about how much harder football was in his era. I see similar comments from past players every season, and I feel for Rovers facing the same thing fifty years ago. I'm unsure how the story will go from here as the focus becomes the temperament of Geoff Giles. His temper is brought into question as he promises to make the commentator eat his words in the next match. I'm not sure it will be enough to sustain the storyline, but time will tell and no doubt plenty can be wrung out of Rover's quest for the double. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best Line: "Once we had our opponents on the floor we hit 'em even harder! No, I don't fancy this lot for the cup double...not unless they show a lot more determination against Carford City, in the first leg of the semi-final!"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

Things get heavy for Johnny Cougar and Splash this week as the story reveals more of itself. We get off to a fine start with Splash and Maurice hauling the treasure box to the surface and onto the boat. The tension is dragged out, and there's a page of exposition before the crate is levered open. It's now that the story takes a twist as the crate doesn't contain the promised jewels, but rather an atomic warhead. I had wondered what was going to be in the box, but I would have never guessed at atomic weapons, and suddenly this story gains an added depth and seriousness. While I'm still shocked by what is in the crate, poor old Splash is knocked out by Maurice, and we return to Johnny and the wrestling ring for the final few panels of the story. Although Johnny manages to gain a pinfall, there is still plenty of jeopardy as he fights on, unaware of Splash's predicament. This is a turning point in the story, and after the weapon is revealed the story becomes a completely different tale from the issues leading up to this. I enjoyed last week's issue immensely and this week is just as good as we get deeper into the plot. This is an island holiday that I didn't expect, but I'm loving every moment of it.  

Rating: 8/10

Best Line:  "It's an atomic bomb!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

George is in the thick of the action for the first page of Martin's Marvellous Mini as the boys desperately evade the lorry driver trying to bash them off the road. The strip is lively with the artwork capturing the nimbleness of George, as well as the peril they face. The story slows briefly on the second page as the boys evade trouble, before deciding to sleep in the car so they are ready to start the rally the next morning. However, trouble is never far away and as they sleep the disgruntled lorry drivers tow George, and the fast asleep boys, off into the country. The story moves quickly again in the final panels and balances out the mid-section where the boys returned to the village for some exposition. The bright colours serve this story well, and it's hard not to be warmed by seeing George flung around the roads. This story doesn't reach the same heights as the previous Johnny Cougar, but it delivers another shot of happiness that leaves me feeling just as pleased.  

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Waah! He's done it again! He's biffed George"

The Tigers

I was disappointed by The Tigers last week, but they win me over this week with less slapstick and more plot. Although the story does begin with an out-of-control Chunky Clark, still battling the parachute dragging his bicycle, this is soon put aside as we see Ron Burton and his cronies digging for treasure. Chunky does fall into a well shaft, but this is treated as a plot element rather than a source of humour, and I enjoy seeing the plot develop on the second page of the story. Toned down a little and I find this story far more enjoyable. Not that I'm a humourless grouch, just that sometimes Chunky is too much for my weary eyes at the end of a busy week. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "Cheek! I merely stopped myself from falling. I, er, I'm exploring a hole"

Skid Solo

I had completely forgotten about the bonkers Skid Solo story, but as soon as I see Skid and his comrades facing the gladiators it all comes flooding back to me. However, I am disappointed as the writers seem to back away from this crazy storyline, as Tiberius steps forward to explain it's merely a joke and the swords are made from rubber. I would have loved to see this played out further with the gladiators, but the story returns to a more car-based theme as Skid is set up for a chariot race against one of Tiberius's men, in the name of charity. Once again I am drawn into the web of the story as this is explained, and it gets even better when it is revealed that the chariots are not drawn by horses, but rather by three motorcycles controlled by the charioteer. Already I am imagining the great visuals that this will supply, and we get to see Skid driving one of these mechanical chariots later in the second page, proving how difficult they are to master as one flips over after touching wheels with another. There is no cliffhanger ending, only the appearance of his opponent who has been promised a thousand pounds if he beats Skid, but the story is well set up for the next issue, and the thought of seeing Skid racing a chariot is quite compelling. You know I'll be back next week to see it, and I look forward to seeing what the artist can make of this race. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "You're right there, chum...these things are lethal!" 

Football Family Robinson 

The banner above the story sums it up nicely - "Digger's bankroll has been stolen...but he took the bad news with a grin." He did indeed, and soon enough we find out why. Bluey has the nose of a bloodhound and Digger is certain he can sniff out the crooks after the game. But first...the game. The on-field action sees the family dominate, and a bored Digger in goal. He forces himself into the action with an unnecessary save, and this leads to the family scoring a second goal and securing the win. From here the story picks up speed as we return to the stolen bankroll and Bluey the kangaroo. With Bluey sniffing out the villains it looks like Digger's bankroll might be quickly recovered, but this story has legs as Bluey finds himself trapped in the back of the villain's van as they speed off. The story swings along well, and despite the unlikelihood of it all, I find myself smiling throughout the adventure. After the previous more serious topics, the arrival of Digger and Bluey into the strip has given it a new lease on life, and each week gives me joy. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "The slimy swagmen -they're getting away. And Bluey's trapped inside the van!"

Tallon Of The Track

After the jovial fun of Football Family  Robinson, things take a dark turn with Tallon Of The Track. I hadn't expected to be confronted with a possible suicide storyline, but here we are as Dave's mental state gets worse. Last week we saw him lose his nerve on the track, and this week Jo tries to get him back on the track again, and once again his nerve fails him. This leads to Jo harshly criticising him, which propels the story into its final third as she later discovers that Dave has paid up his rent, told his landlady he didn't need his possessions and took a bus to Brookland point, which Jo tells the reader is a three hundred foot cliff. After some of the earlier high jinks in the comic, this feels heavy but entirely plausible. It is a different tone from the other stories and I am surprised that it was not edited for a younger audience. I respect that the creators didn't shy away from the topic, and it is refreshing to see it addressed in a comic, especially a boys' comic from 1974. The writers aren't talking down to their audience at all, and give the story some heft as there are consequences to the on-track action. This is the most important story this week, and easily the best. Unexpected, but worthy in every panel.  

Best line:  "That's a three-hundred-foot cliff on the coast And in Dave's present state of mind he's liable to do anything!"

Rating: 9.5/10

A Horse Called Ugly

Ugly and Joe aren't reunited as I expected they would be this week, but they come closer as the story progresses. The first part of the story is the most gripping, with Joe being led off to be killed by one of the bandits. There is a wrinkle in the story as Joe is allowed to escape while the bandit pretends to kill him by shooting into the air. It reminds me of the old serials shown in the cinema in the 40s and 50s as Joe faces certain death, only to escape quickly after. Meanwhile, Ugly is facing his own trials and tribulations as he is rounded up with a herd of Mustangs and taken to be sold. On the final page of the story, the two threads converge as Joe looks out his window to see Ugly in the street below, just as trouble rides into town in the form of the bandits he has just escaped. I am hooked, and can once again I can only heap praise upon the artist who carries the story in his/her fluid style. Without a lot of action, there is drama throughout the story, and the stakes are high, especially on the first page. We have moved far beyond any boring show-jumping story now, and this feels right for the characters in the story. I rejoice in seeing them live out their adventures. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "Ha Gringo dog...you cry for mercy! Take that, you squealing coyote...and that!...and that! !" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7.5/10

Best Story: Tallon Of The Track 

Best Line:  "Phew! You were mighty rough on him, Jo! You took what was left of his pride and simply tore it to pieces! You practically called him a coward!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 12th January 1974

Last week in Tiger centred around snow and a cold start to the New Year. This week we are immediately warmed by the front cover, a full-colour image of Johnny Cougar in warmer climes. Hopefully, the stories within will be just as hot as the cover. Already I feel very positive about this issue and can't wait to see what comes next.  

Tiger

12th January 1974

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

The front cover shows both strands of this story, Johnny Cougar fighting against the local champion, while Splash is beneath the water and ever closer to the promised treasure. Both plot threads develop well in this issue, with the local wrestler's secret weapon revealed when he hypnotises Johnny, leaving Johnny weakened and defenceless. This is a very good scene, with the wrestling action served well by the crisp clean artwork. Johnny is pinned, and from here we cut to the other half of the story as Splash cuts through the wreck to the strong room. He is equally in peril, and perhaps more so, as he returns to the surface to tell of his discovery. The villain on the boat, Maurice, silently promises that this will be the end of Splash once they have the treasure, which sets us up nicely for the next issue and the drama that will surely follow. This has been an intriguing story so far, and this issue continues to unfold the drama at a brisk pace, while always holding something back for the next issue. Johnny Cougar deserves his cover star status in this issue, and I want to see plenty more like this.   

Rating: 8/10

Best Line:  "Cougar being hypnotised!"

Roy Of The Rovers

I was very positive about Roy Of The Rovers the last week, and this week sees the storyline of Len Farmer and Roy end on a high note. Finally, Roy has worked out how Len is beating him, by talking him out of his game. As Roy is brought on, the crowd is sceptical but Roy is able to win them over as he gives Len Farmer a taste of his own medicine and talks him out of the game. This story got off to a slow start, but I am won over by this issue, and the football action is glorious, with several panels of Roy and Len sparring being particularly notable. There is also an element of humanity in the story, as Roy comforts Len in the dressing room after the match. This would never rate highly as a Roy Of The Rovers story, but this final issue is a fine ending and makes up a little for some of the previous meandering episodes. Next week we are back to see if Rovers can complete the double, so we will be seeing plenty more of on-field action I'm sure. 

Rating: 8/10

Best Line: "Yah-Haaaay! Cop that one, Walford!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

We last saw the boys disappearing into a snow storm, but this part of the story is quickly put aside as we return to the more human drama side of the strip. After surviving the snow, Tiny and Martin arrive in a village where they are offered food and lodging, which returns them to their lifelong problem - how are they going to pay for it? Again they discover the milk of human kindness flows readily through the pages of Tiger, and they are offered jobs as delivery men, as the normal drivers haven't arrived in time. This sets up a conflict between them and the regular drivers once they turn up, leading to the final panel where the delivery truck begins to ram them. Even though it feels like a constant theme of Tiny and Martin having no money and looking for odd jobs, it still provides plenty of scope for drama such as this. I don't feel cheated for seeing this type of story again, after all, it is the bread and butter for this strip, and as always it's done well. An enjoyable, although not challenging, read throughout and still highly recommended. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Haw haw! We won't bash these chaps after all -we'll bash their car up instead!"

Football Family Robinson 

Digger dominates every panel of Football Family Robinson he is in, and despite my reservations about him when he first appeared, I am now a fan. This week he has some splendid lines, as well as playing a blinder on the pitch. Last week the dressing room was robbed while the game was on, and this week we see the game unfold with plenty of Digger in the action before they return to the dressing room at halftime. With Sergeant Gill delivering the bad news of the stolen money, Digger is nonplussed, instead in his usual way he greets the news with a smile and a promise that he'll sort it himself. Although the story doesn't reach any great heights, Digger brightens every page and elevates the story on the back of his character. I am curious to see how he plans on resolving this, and you can bet that I'll be back next week for more of the same.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "There's no need to bother yourself, sport. As soon as this game is over, me 'n' Bluey will soon sort out this thievin' drongo. Leave it to us!"

 A Horse Called Ugly

Ugly is the star for the first half of this week's strip. His adventures in the jungle are well served by the artwork, and much like last week, I am enthused by every panel in which Ugly appears. I sure have come a long way since I started reading this story, back then it was my least favourite, and now I love looking at the artwork. In the second half of the story, we are back with Joe, who is facing trial with the bandits now that they know that no one will be paying a ransom for him. While not as gripping as the first page, it still has some good panels, and it's the villains who look best on the page with their dramatic moustaches and menacing body language. I'm sure that next week we will see Joe and Ugly reunited, and it can't come soon enough for Joe who is in far more danger without Ugly. The strip doesn't quite reach the same heights as last week, but it comes close enough for me to turn the page, well satisfied with what I've read. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "That is good, Lopez. We show Ingleeesi we are honest bandits!" 

Tallon Of The Track

Dave disappeared under the ice the last we saw of him, and the first page of this week is dedicated to Jo smashing the ice and pulling him to safety. Poor Dave, he doesn't look good at all, but Jo pushes on with his training as they return to the track for a four-lap race. This part of the story works much better for me, as Dave remains well off the pace as Jo and the rest of the team scream around the track. The final panel is fantastic, with Dave revealing that he thinks he's lost his nerve. Great stuff, and interestingly it's far more dramatic than the opening of the story when he was pulled from the ice in a life or death situation. Much like the other issues, the on-track action looks great, and the final panels of Dave are a highlight, making for an issue that started well and ended great. You wouldn't think that seeing someone coming back from injury would make for compelling reading, but Tallon Of The Track proves otherwise, and this is one of the first stories I will be reading next week.  

Best line:  "F-four laps w-with no holds barred, eh, Jo? Okay, I- I'm ready..."

Rating: 7.5/10

Skid Solo

A bald-headed villain! If there was a Tiger drinking game, we would all be having a shot now. The opening lines of the story let us know that this isn't going to be a racing story, and so it is with the bald-headed villain appearing in the next panel, reading the newspaper in an Italian Villa, which surely would be another drink if we were playing along. The plot is laid out quickly enough, the villain would like to see Skid compete as a gladiator, although quite how he perceives this jump from racing driver to combatant I'm not sure, and lures Skid and his team to Italy with the promise of a free holiday. They arrive and are led to a vast arena where they are given tridents and nets and told to defend themselves as three gladiators approach. It is now that the villain reveals himself as Tiberius, and he is hoping they can survive so they can take part in the chariot race that will follow. Sure, it's completely bonkers, but I love it all the same. To see something so off the wall, and the ever-calm Skid Solo taking it all in his stride is wonderful. This is the last thing that I might have expected, and I can't wait to see what will happen next. I am always banging on about wanting to see Skid on the track more, but this is completely out of the left field and a most unusual story. One can't help but want to see where it might go from here. It's completely crazy but instantly lovable.    

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "What's going on here, Skid... I canna say I like it!" 

The Tigers

The story of The Tigers this issue is neither here nor there. It's not as funny as it has been recently, and in terms of page-turning drama, it doesn't raise my pulse. After bursting a water main at the end of last week, the story slows down, and most of the pages are just Chunky and friends following Ron Burton on their bikes. The only notable action is the final panel as Chunky's tent spills from his backpack, acting like a parachute and pulling him along by wind power. Asides from this, very little else happens in the strip and I am disappointed after the good run we have had in the last three issues. This might appeal to some people, but sadly for me, it doesn't strike the right chord this week and we finish on a low note. 

Rating: 4/10

Best line: "Ooeeerrrrr! I'm being towed along!"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Roy Of The Rovers 

Best Line:  "Blackie's going to drop the ball right on my head! It'll be in the bag before you know what day it is! The ball, I mean...not my head!"

Best Panel:

Tiger 5th January 1974

Happy new year and welcome to 1974! I must say, I don't remember it well as I was only a few months old at that time, but I have just looked up the records and I see it was a temperate twenty degrees here on January 5th 1974, although cloudy. It wasn't so warm in the UK, and the cover image of Skid Solo battling through the snow gives us a good idea of the weather conditions at the time. Now, I don't want to be one of those guys that always prattles on about the weather, but seeing Skid in the freezing conditions has me wanting to pull the covers up over my head and hunker down with some comics for the day. And what better way to start a comic reading day than with another classic issue of Tiger. 

Tiger

5th January 1974

Skid Solo

The winter weather is to the fore as Skid Solo battles the elements. Towing his race car through the Scottish snow to see Sandy's parents doesn't seem like his best idea, especially once he slides off the road and knocks his head. The first colour panels are particularly evocative, and no matter what comes next, I have already decided that this is a good issue. The story continues to be covered in snow, as Skid seeks help from a farmhouse where he is given a warm welcome by a gentleman with some bagpipes. How so very Scottish. Again, the artwork provides warmth, but we are chilled again as Skid heads back to Sandy and Sparrow, sending them to the farmhouse before he seeks out the village for further help. The story sheds its skin at this point, and we discover its true nature - it's a ghost story. Upon returning, Skid finds the farmhouse is in ruins, and there's no piper. The consensus among his pairs is that he hit his head harder than he thought, despite Skid's protestations. I like the final panel, as there is a flash of fire in Skid's speech as he tells Sandy that next time they'll fly his parents down to see them. It's rare to see Skid get angry, or speak in such a way, and even though it's only two lines at the end of the story, it stands out to my eyes. I am warmed by the story overall, and Skid's final lines are delivered coldly giving me an extra insight into the character, making this an interesting Skid Solo story.    

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "Okay, I'll forget it! But next New Year, Sandy, we'll send your folks aeroplane tickets. They can come down south and visit us for a change!" 

Roy Of The Rovers

I feel like we have turned a corner with the Roy and Len Farmer storyline and this week I am fully engaged throughout. Previously it felt like the story meandered, but this week it takes several large steps forward. We have Roy pondering how to overcome his problems with Len, something we have seen plenty of times already, and then a great action sequence as they practice with Lofty playing the part of Len Framer. It is highly enjoyable, and we see some of Roy's skills in action as he demonstrates why he has remained one of the best for so long.  However, this training run is not enough to see him start the match, but midway through the game, and near the end of this strip, Roy has an epiphany and as he comes onto the field we await to see what he has worked out as a plan again Len Farmer. The art serves the football action well, and the story works much better when there is less talk and more focus on what is happening on the field. My previous negative thoughts about this story are put aside, and I am very happy to see this strip back to football action and solid storytelling. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best Line: "Good grief! Roy's reactions are so sharp, he got in that shot before Lofty could tackle him...!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin's Marvellous Mini keeps with the theme of Skid Solo, in that the boys are still in the countryside and facing heavy snow. It's not immediately apparent, however, and the first half is given over to their time on the farm and some tractor driving. It's all pleasant enough, and I enjoy what I see, but the drama of the piece lies on the road ahead. As the rally resumes, George remains in the lead and is making good time. Perhaps a little too good, as they make it through a checkpoint before the mountains only a few minutes ahead of a heavy snow warning that will see the really stopped. Oblivious to the blizzard conditions ahead, they plough on, and we will have to return next week to see what fate awaits them. Martin's Marvellous Mini always seems to gain a little more traction being in colour, but it truly is a heartwarming story of two pals making their way in the world, and without being the most dramatic story in the comic it is certainly the most readable. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "The leading car has already gone through!"

The Tigers

The initiative race continues in this week's The Tigers story, and right from the start, we see Chunky Clark's luck in action as he escapes a potentially very dangerous bicycle accident, while inflicting more grief upon Ron Burton and his friends. It's a case of good luck/bad luck throughout the story, as Chunky loses his metal detector to Ron Burton, only for Burton to then use it and dig into a water pipe. It's not laugh-out-loud, but it does deepen the smile lines on my face. I am warmed by its gentle humour and the fact that there's no snow in this story, and it maintains the good run that The Tigers has been on recently.   

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Galloping gumdrops! I'm really b-branching out!"

Football Family Robinson 

I must admit, I wasn't fussed about the last issue of Football Family Robinson and the arrival of Digger, but this week is a vast improvement and this week's story is a beaut. Digger is given a little more personality, and as a character, I like him. He is also given a large wad of cash, which he naively flashes around at Chez Ambrose while treating everyone to lunch. A generous chap, and with a smile always on his face, it's not just my heart that he's winning, but the whole Robinson family. The only catch is his pesky kangaroo, and it is in the latter part of the story where these two lines of plot collide, as its because of his kangaroo that they discover that the dressing room has been burgled while they're on the field. With the artwork seemingly lighter, the arrival of new characters, and an interesting two-pronged storyline, this is getting better week on week. I may have been a little slow to come around to this storyline in the first two issues, but I'm pleased to eat my words for this issue.    

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line:  "You mean he's got a mind of his own - he's a real Robinson!"

 A Horse Called Ugly

Another excellent outing for  A Horse Called Ugly in this issue. Joe is still with the bandits, and the artwork is top-notch, especially any panel in which we see them up close and their faces. While he may not have Ugly with him, Joe still demonstrates his affection for horses, this time putting himself in peril to save one of the horses being shot by the bandits. This isn't the only dramatic moment in this week's issue, we end by seeing Ugly's journey to reunite with Joe, and there is some excitement as Ugly swims across the Alligator-infested river. This is perhaps even more dramatic than Joe's scuffle with the bandits, and I cannot speak highly enough of the panels featuring Ugly, the artwork is evocative and says a lot in a couple of panels. I am constantly surprised by how much I enjoy this strip, and its panels like this that keep me reading.  

Rating: 8/10

Best line:  "This is your last moment gringo dog! You are finished!" 

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

A lot happens in this week's Johnny Cougar, with a mix of humour and intrigue. The scene is set from the very first panel as we see Johnny and Splash sleeping, and Splash's sleeping position is hilarious, upside down with his legs resting up on the wall. This humour is offset by the appearance of the two villains, and from here the story splits in two with Johnny going off to wrestle and Splash once again taking to the water in the treasure hunt. I like that we have the story moving in multiple directions and with wrestling action thrown into the mix to offset the main treasure hunt storyline. It looks as though Splash will be the one facing the most peril but Johnny is also facing a tough opponent, and although his fight starts well, there is the threat that his opponent has a move which leaves men screaming for mercy. I can't wait to see it, but wait I must as this all lays ahead of us. This issue of Tiger is proving to be very strong, and I have already read several stories that could be best of the week, and Johnny Cougar is another one from the top shelf. 

Rating: 8/10

Best Line:  "No amount of beauty sleep is going to help you guys!"

Tallon Of The Track

It's all about the bikes in Tallon Of The Track as Dave returns from the injury that has kept him off the track during the opening months of this strip. The are no other characters this week, just Jo Tallon and Dave Trent as Jo does her best to get him back to racing standards. It's not on the track where she has him training though, it's on the frozen marshes where she hopes he can build up the strength to race. It reads like a standard sports story, but it all happens in the final panels when Dave crashes through the ice and we are faced with the final words "A grim battle for survival." I don't know if it's as serious as it sounds, the crash didn't look too bad to my untrained eye, but it does close out the comic on a high, and even without a larger story on the horizon, Tallon of the Track delivers up enough of the motorbike action to please any fan of the strip. 

Best line:  "I've done it! Now I'll really show Miss Jo Tallon how to handle a speed-iron!"

Rating: 6.5/10

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7.5/10

Best Story: A Horse Called Ugly 

Best Line:  "Hello, Tom...we've just had a call from the weather people! The weather forecast for the mountains is severe blizzards! We've got to stop the rally...don't let any cars go through... "

Best Panel:

Tiger 29th December 1973

This week is a festive issue, and I must say it does feel a little strange to read it in early September. I would much prefer to be reading this on boxing day, a mug of mulled wine in my hand, and a food hangover from the day before. I could probably stretch to reading it with a hangover from the night before, but safe to say I have a clear head as I read this, and nothing stronger than a cup of tea by my side. 

Tiger

29th December 1973

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy's battle with Len Farmer is put on the back burner as the Rovers enjoy Christmas with us. I enjoy these first couple of pages of the story, even if it is fairly typical of what one would expect from Roy at Christmas. We have Rovers entertaining local youth organisations, a present giveaway, and the usual party games one might expect from the Rovers team. It's predictable but has a warm Christmas glow to it which puts me in the spirit of the season. It's almost a shame that football eventually interrupts and we return to Roy's problems. The good news is Len Farmer has been sold to Walford, for a bargain price of 50,000 pounds, the bad news is that Melchester Rovers face Walford in the next round of the F.A. Cup. It is a steady enough story and the goodwill generated in the first half of the strip makes up for the low-key drama of the second part of the story. Overall, I feel good about everything I'm reading, and the warm glow I feel in my stomach isn't just from this cup of tea. 

Rating: 6/10

Best Line: "Gosh, the cracker's exploded! It's showering presents all over the pitch!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Martin's Marvellous Mini is the opposite of Roy Of The Rovers, with the drama all front-loaded, and the feel-good Christmas waiting for us in the second half of the strip. It looked as though this may be a miserable Christmas for the boys, as a section of cliff broke off with George on it. All they could do is jump with George as all three slid into the sea together. Once again luck is at play as the broken cliff becomes an island, and once the tide rolls out they are able to drive along the beach. This brings us to the Christmas section of the story, and once again the cockles of my heart are warmed with the sight of turkey, party hats, and a Christmas tree. With no desperate cliffhanger, next week is wide open in terms of story, and from here anything could happen as they take a couple of days rest from the rally. I don't want to overuse the word feel-good, but feel-good is exactly how I feel after these first two stories.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Fat lot of use that is! We can't get George aboard that!"

The Tigers

I thought a real ghost had appeared at the end of last week's Tigers story, but I am relieved to see here that it is merely someone else taking refuge in Gravestone Manor. I am much happier with the story after this revel, and overall I found it to be far more enjoyable than last week. There are the laughs we have come to expect, Ron Burton is again bettered, and Chunky Clark rides his luck to another happy ending. There is no surprise that this happy ending involves more Christmas cheer. I'd be the first to put my hand up and admit I'm not the greatest fan of the Tigers, but this one is one of the better ones I have read and is a strong contender for the best story in this week's issue. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "How's that for a smashing photo! Ha, ha, ha. Which Gargoyle is which?"

Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

It was life and death for Splash when we last saw him. With no air line, and both our heroes in the clutches of the octopus, this week's issue had a jumpstart when it comes to thrills. And the first few pages maintain this frantic action, with Johnny and Splash battling the octopus before Johnny takes control of the situation. Octopus vanquished, he puts his diving skills to use, giving Splash his own air supply before heading to the surface. These pages are just as good as the previous week, and even though I have my doubts about Johnny's diving ability, there is no denying that it was page-turning action the whole time they were underwater. We return to the surface, where even on the remote desert island it is Christmas time, and this sets up for another Christmas toast and more party hats. I love that they are maintaining this Christmas spirit throughout the issue while maintaining the momentum of the story. Another strong issue from Johnny Cougar, and his strip remains one of the most consistent of Tiger comic in general. 

Rating: 8/10

Best Line:  "Do not worry, little penguin...we have made a hat for you!"

Tallon Of The Track

I have been enjoying the current storyline of Tallon Of The Track but I am left disappointed in the way it finishes this week. I'm disappointed for two reasons. Firstly, the fact it's finishing. I know there are plenty more stories with Jo Tallon to come, but I have enjoyed this storyline every step of the way, and it is with a heavy heart that I turn the page to find its ending. The second reason is that it seems to wrap up all too fast. The villain that Dave and Jo captured last week is very loose-lipped and reveals the whole plot in three panels as he explains the gold they're after, where it's hidden and the fact that his accomplice is on the way now to get it. I'm saddened to see the story cheapened like this, but my heart lifts as Jo takes to her bike and we have her once again smashing through a door to save the day. I should have tallied up the number of times she has smashed through doors in this story, but that moment has passed, perhaps I'll do it next time. With the criminals behind bars, there's only one thing left to do - have a Christmas party on bikes!

Best line:  "There's a car parked outside my room! That thug must be inside - well, he's in for a shock!"

Rating: 7/10

Skid Solo

Skid Solo gives us our first purely Christmas story with hijinks aplenty as Sandy and Sparrow seek the perfect gift for Skid. In a humourous tale, they sell their vintage car to pay for some trophy cabinets for Skid, but the story comes full circle as Skid sells his trophy collection to buy a vintage car for the lads. Nothing too taxing here, and it is pure fun all the way as Sandy and Sparrow speed around the roads as the story unfolds. I like that it stays strictly on theme with its Christmas story, and both parties prove very generous with their choice of gifts. It's not Skid Solo the racing driver, but Skid Solo the man who is revealed here, and for a Christmas story this works well. While not a classic Skid story, I find myself reading with a smile and rating it highly.  

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line:  "Secret shopping! It's no any business o' yours, mon!" 

Football Family Robinson 

Starve the crows, it's all about the Aussies in this week's Football Family Robinson with the arrival of Digger, and his mysterious friend "Bluey." We don't have to wait long for this mystery to be lifted, Bluey is a kangaroo. No real surprise there, of course, every dinkum Aussie has a kangaroo for a friend. Bluey looks like he will be causing trouble in the coming weeks, but for now we are content just to be introduced while Digger is put through his paces as a goalkeeper on the field. There's not much happening in this issue, but we are well set up for the next few weeks, and with these two characters in the fold there is plenty of scope for spills and thrills in future. I'm not even going to mention the Christmas dinner, but it is one of the best panels in the issue. 

Rating: 5.5/10

Best line:  "Sorry Sport. I should have warned yer. Bluey gets annoyed if he thinks anyone is attacking me. His tail packs quite a wallop.."

 A Horse Called Ugly

The first few panels of A Horse Called Ugly are fantastic. I have constantly been impressed by the artwork in this story, and here is more of the same as we see Joe in dire straights crossing a river, hands bound, as the bandits shoot at him. You would think that things couldn't get much worse, but indeed they do for poor old Joe as an alligator comes into frame. It turns out that the bandits weren't shooting at Joe, but rather at this alligator. This is one of the best sequences in this week's comic, and although the story has a Christmas ending, it is this first half page that sticks in my mind. It would be easy to dislike this story, but it has a unique charm to it, and even though I don't like horses (or even Joe) very much, I still find myself quietly looking forward to seeing what happens week after week. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line:  "Yikes! So that's what Lopez was firing at...an alligator!" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story: Johnny Cougar with Splash Gorton

Best Line:  "A Kangaroo!"

Best Panel: