Tiger 17th January 1976

I always do my best when it comes to this blog. However, sometimes things slip through the cracks and it isn't quite as good as I want, or expect. Last week was one of those occasions. I posted the blog not realising that the spell check hadn't picked up a couple of errors in the very first paragraph. Not spelling mistakes so much as typos, and I was extremely embarrassed a few days later when I saw that not only was it one of my most-read blog posts, but also one that started with a couple of glaring errors. I can't guarantee that future posts will be any better, but please know that I always try and make this as readable as possible, despite my limitations and those of the tools I am using.  

17th January 1976

Skid Solo

Skid Solo delivered the best story last week, and this week it delivers an equally intense issue.

While Skid lies unconscious in the hospital, the world's media gather in the foyer awaiting news. Tommy and Sandy are keeping vigil at Skid's bedside and there is some hope that he will regain consciousness during the day. 

Sandy speaks to one of the men waiting outside of the hospital and this character, Jack, recounts Skid's first race and the way they build his first car together. They had very little money, but Skid was able to pull off a victory in his very first race and with the prize money they were able to fund their racing ambitions. 

In Skid's room, Skid begins to stir, and Tommy rushes to find a doctor. 

Back in the foyer, Sandy hears another story of Skid's first Grand Prix race. We get another flashback and we see Skid racing for an Italian team, with the instruction from the team manager for a one-two finish. This is achieved, although not in the manner expected as Skid passes his teammate in the final lap to win the race. 

As the pressman finishes his story Tommy appears and tells Sandy that Skid has just recovered consciousness, but the doctors say that he will never be able to drive again. 

This is easily another 10/10 story. It was beautifully crafted, and the way the flashbacks were woven into the story was seamless and made the final news from Tommy all the more devastating. I haven't gone back to see if the stories recalled come from the pages of Tiger, but I assume that given the long history of Skid Solo in the comic, they were. Seeing Skid's past added additional emotional weight to the story, and made his current situation feel all the more serious.  I enjoyed the fine balance between the past and the present and for the first time, it felt like Skid might be fallible after all.  

The racing scenes were lowkey and didn't detract from the drama of the main story at the hospital. The real drama was carried in the faces of Skid's two friends and the assembled newsmen, and these panels were just as intense as anything we could have seen on the track. While not as flashy as last week's story, this week's issue was just as essential, adding to what has come before while setting us up for another intense issue next week. With a foot in the past, and a step towards the future, the story delivers to casual readers and long-term fans alike, and although ending on a downbeat it ensures that the next issue will be a must-read. 

Rating: 10/10

Best line: "Sandy...do - do you think Skid will drive again?"

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy is suffering from double vision and tiredness as he takes the field against Carford City, but he is determined to carry on. 

He makes a good fist of it, testing the Carford keeper earlier with a shot. He is everywhere on the pitch, taking corners and throw-ins before he finally scores as the Carford keeper fails to punch clear a cross. 

Moments later he is defending his own goal line with a diving header. This proves a bridge too far, and his vision begins to fade again. Staggering across the field, Roy suddenly collapses and the medical team rush to his aid. The strip ends with Roy in Taffy Morgan's arms and Taffy telling the team that Roy has collapsed through sheer physical exhaustion. 

I think we all know that this has been coming for some time, and it has been signposted for a couple of months now. As such it carried very little surprise, although I must say, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of it. I was quietly pleased to have finally reached this point, and after all this build-up we can finally move on to the next part of the story. The football action wasn't gripping in this story, and neither were Roy's struggles, as these had already been documented in previous episodes. As such it was a necessary episode, but not an essential one. The artwork delivered far more than the story, and while it was pleasant to read, next week's issue promises to once again propel us forward and explore new territory. 

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "It was a beauty, Roy! But ease up a bit - you can't do everything!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Last week we saw Tiny and Martin being led away by several burly members of the Russian army. This week we pick up that thread, although I am surprised to see Tiny and Martin smiling as they are led off. 

At the police station they learn that they are being rewarded for catching the robbers back in France, and after being handed a reward they are released by the Russians. Mr Twastle is overjoyed at the publicity he could gain from this, but Tiny and Martin have a much bigger prize in mind - the one million pounds that Mr Twastle has promised them if they win. 

Mr Twastle thinks his money is safe, as there are still two legs left and the boys are far behind. However, they make great time across snow-ridden Poland (and an encounter with a snow plough) and are soon approaching Kyiv. They arrive in Kyiv first and on TV it is announced that they hold first place with one leg left.

Watching at home, Mr Twastle watches the TV horrified. There's no way he can afford a million pounds, and in his final words, he says he's got to stop them. 

Although always likeable, this lacked both the drama and the fun of previous episodes. The first panel of Tiny and Martin smiling while with the Russian soldiers undid all the potential for trouble that the image would have otherwise held, and the next few panels gave us a nice wrap-up of the situation while remaining completely unnecessary. 

There was potential for trouble as they crossed snowy countryside in Russia, and while I smiled at their trouble with the snow plough, it was hardly the most demanding of storylines.

Last week I made mention of the fact that this was very much a time capsule, with the talk of East and West Germany, and the sight of Russian soldiers in East Berlin. This issue gave us more of the same, with the most jarring moment coming with Kyiv being part of Russia. This was heightened by my spell checker insisting that I change the spelling to Kyiv, rather than the Kiev we read on the page.  The context may have changed, but the rally action is still good, and I look forward to seeing how Soviet Russia is portrayed in the next issue.

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Brrrrr! This is a tough old country!"

Johnny Cougar

Johnny is preparing to take on the Masked Maniac, but at his training session, he finds that his ring ropes have been cut with Splash Gorton falling out of the ring as he bounces against them. 

A tape recording tells Johnny that he should back out of the fight, a threat that Johnny pays no heed to. 

Meanwhile, the Masked Maniac has called a press conference to discuss his forthcoming fight with Johnny. In a demonstration of his strength, he strikes a punching bag, only to find that someone has filled it with pieces of concrete. Undeterred, he next gives a display of his weightlifting abilities. However, he finds that his weights are merely trick balloons filled with air. At this moment, Johnny Cougar reveals that he has been disguised as one of the journalists, and tells the Masked Maniac that he hopes he's learned not to play tricks on Johnny. At this point, a fight breaks out between the two, and the grudge match is set. 

A lot of silliness in this issue, and surprisingly it worked far better than what we have seen in previous weeks. It made me smile rather than grimace and wasn't quite as cringe-worthy as some of the other foolishness we have seen. Splash falling through the ropes set the tone for the rest of the strip, and it stayed with this theme for the rest of the comic. The appearance of the mystery tape playing lent some menace, but overall it stayed light until the final panel. This consistency helped get over some of the humour. In a more serious wrestling contest that humour can sometimes feel misplaced. Here it was delicately positioned and made for an undemanding yet enjoyable read. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Sure, Daddy-o...J-just a bit battered and bruised! Guess I was too strong for those ring ropes!"

Billy's Boots

Billy is about to fly home from Munich after playing for the English schoolboys against West Germany. With snow falling, there is some worry about the flight, although they take off OK and are soon back in the sunshine of England. 

Billy is soon back into his regular routine, and after giving his Gran a gift from Germany he receives a gift of his own as she shows him a flash new bike that his rich Uncle has sent him.

Billy wastes no time in getting back to football, and the next day he is on his new bike with Jimmy Dawson going to play for the Merrydowners team. They arrive at the opposition's pitch to find it is pretty rough, as is the team they are playing against. 

All eyes are on Billy, and he is singled out as the kid on the posh bike who played for England. On the field, he is marked by two players at all times, although Billy uses this to his advantage and assists for the first two goals. 

As half-time arrives, Billy walks off the pitch but is horrified to see that his new bike has been stolen from beside the shed where he left it. 

I feel for Billy. I had my bike stolen when I was a kid, and I have never forgotten the feeling. This event may well stay with him for a lifetime, although for now, all concern is for the second half of the match. 

The opening part of the story with the snow airport at Munich as a backdrop came to nothing, and although I am relieved, I also feel a little let-down. The sight of Billy and the team boarding in the snow, and with the thought of the tragedy in Munch in mind, made this a dramatic moment in the story, and to see it so easily dispensed with in this issue was disappointing. I didn't expect to see Billy and the team in a crash, but I thought there could have been more made of it. 

We had another nice cameo from Billy's Gran, as well as a mention of another member of Billy's extended family. A rich uncle we have never heard of, and a generous one at that. It did provide the funny moment of Billy being referred to as the kid with a posh bike, and briefly gave him a taste of the highlife. A little strange that an Uncle we had never seen, nor had mentioned, suddenly be so generous, but it did add an extra layer of interest to the story. 

This current storyline feels a step down from what we had in the month leading up to Christmas, and while I am saddened by Billy's loss, I have the feeling that it will be quickly resolved and we can move on to something more substantial. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "That one with the posh bike!"

Nipper

Nipper has been kidnapped by some students playing a prank, and although he has escaped he now finds that he has lost his memory and can't even remember his own name. 

Some passing motorists come to his aid, and looking through his pockets they find he has a wage slip from Blackport Rovers in the name of N. Lawrence. 

Bundling Nipper into the car, they drive him to the club grounds, where there is a crowd gathered for the big game. Nipper is immediately recognised as he steps from the car, and he is whisked away from his two saviours and hurried to the dressing rooms before he can explain himself. 

There is no time for Nipper to explain anything about his situation as he is hurriedly dressed and pushed out onto the field. Kerry is on the sideline to wish him luck, and Nipper doesn't even recognise his own girlfriend as he makes his way onto the field. Things get worse with kick-off, and Nipper is like a lost sheep as the game swirls around him, not knowing what position he should be playing. 

A nice progression on last week's issue, and the story is moving steadily forward. Seeing Nipper lost on the field ended the issue on the right note, and with Kerry going unrecognised just a couple of panels earlier we are well placed for plenty of drama next week.

Any appearance by Kerry is welcome, and she looked particularly fine this week. The look on her face as Nipper failed to recognise her was perfectly in tune with her character and was a look I would not want to be on the receiving end of. It was also pleasing to see she had one of her friends with her, and the world of Nipper became more well-rounded for it. 

There are still plenty of unresolved issues here, not least of all the kidnapping of Nipper that began all of this. First, we will have to negotiate this game of football, and Nipper's ongoing amnesia, before this can be resolved, and with that in mind, I look forward to seeing what will unfold over the coming weeks. All that, and Kerry of course.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Er...can you tell me where I'm supposed to be playing?"

Hot Shot Hamish 

Hamish and McMutton have found new lodgings on a houseboat. Things get off to a poor start as McMutton is reluctant to cross the water to board, and things become rapidly worse as a passing motorboat sets the houseboat rocking. Things come to a natural head and both Hamish and McMutton end up in the water and it is a sopping wet and unhappy Hamish who finally comes onboard.

At the Princes ground, Hamish confesses to Mr McWhacker that he doesn't like the new place and that he feels seasick most of the time. Hamish wants to move on, but he just doesn't have the heart to tell the captain.

The next day, Hamish pulls the houseboat further upstream and closer to the football ground. Exhausted he falls asleep only to be awoken by water being pumped from factories beside the river and onto his new home. This is the final straw, and snatching up McMutton, Hamish leaves the houseboat for good. 

As luck would have it, he is spotted by a wealthy Princes Park supporter, Andy McCash, who immediately offers Hamish his place to stay. With a swimming pool and a tennis court, it is all the luxury Hamish could imagine, and we have a taste of what is to come with the sight of a beautiful country mansion shown in the final panel. 

Although I didn't like the story of the houseboat, it did provide some wonderful artwork. The panels on the second page as it is flooded are exquisite, and they all caught my eye with their detail and expressive feel. The final panels of Hamish's new lodgings are equally engaging, and once we get a close view I'm sure the artwork will again come to the fore. 

This story of Hamish trying to find a place to stay feels like a placeholder until something more substantive develops. It's hard to see right now how this current plot can grow into something more, so I expect to see something unexpected arrive to take us down a new path. Until then, I am revelling in the art and carrying forward the thought of what this new mansion could hold. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Hot-diggety Haggis! It's a palace! I think it'll do fine for McMutton and me..."

Tornado Jones

Tornado was attempting to beat the record time for riding across the Pennines when he struck disaster. After seeing the bike of one of the men who failed the crossing, Tornado suddenly finds himself dropping into a pothole - bike and all.   

It's somewhat of a controlled crash, and regaining his feet Tornado finds himself in an underground cavern. He also finds the missing riders, who are right now grabbing his provisions in search of any food they can get their hands on.

The men have been surviving on emergency rations, and they tell Tornado that it's impossible to climb back up the tunnel. Tornado enquires after other exits, and the men explain that there is only one tunnel, but it goes for miles through the mountain, and they are too weak to follow it very far.

Tornado instructs them to get on his bike as he attempts to drive out via this tunnel with the other three riders clinging to him. It is a long tough ride, but eventually, Tornado makes it, crashing his way through the side of the mountain and into the fresh air. He is only three miles from the finish and although his front wheel is buckled, he carries the other riders the remaining miles.  

He reaches the village, breaking the record and winning the prize money. In the final panel of the comic, he generously asks for the money to be split with the other three riders who had to endure a month underground. 

A weak ending to what had been one of the better Tornado Jones stories. Following on from the giant wave story, Tornado Jones had begun to have a consistency to it. It was beginning to rise above the earlier childish stories and Tornado was coming into his own. This week was a step back, and although there were moments that I liked, overall it fell flat, especially in light of the excellent two episodes that preceded it. 

I like that he found the other riders, although I felt this could have worked for a few more issues. Like many comic endings, it was rushed when there could have easily been another couple of issues wrung out of the story. 

However, it did provide some thrills, and in particular, the opening panels of Tornado on his bike provided a rush that carried me through the rest of the comic. These images of him on his bike were powerful and one got a good sense of the bike he was riding and his skill in controlling it. It was a strong start to the story before it became a simple rush to the finish line. I like the character, and these images give me hope for the future, but the story still remains inconsistent and elusive. I want it to do better, and next week we start with a clean slate and the opportunity to finally deliver something worthy of Tornado Jones and his bike.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Only one - but it twists for miles through the middle of the mountain...and we were too weak for very far" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story:  Skid Solo 

Best Line: "...they say...he-he'll never be able to drive again!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: 

   

Tiger 10th January 1976

This week's issue is a cracker and we have a splendid mix of intriguing plotlines and eye-catching art. I have even rated one of the stories 10/10, a noteworthy occasion in itself. I had a good feeling about 1976, and after some silliness over the Christmas period, we have hit the ground running. It's hard to pinpoint what has changed, but the art seems more confident, and the storylines have taken on a new clarity. It all makes for a fantastic read, and this week I was well and truly transported off into these fictional worlds as my two pet loves, sport and comics, came together to ease the work stress and worries on my mind. 

10th January 1976

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy is in goal and pulling off a series of brave saves against Kingsbay.

With a bit of skill and a lot of luck, he makes it through the game without conceding and Rovers steal a point. 

After the game, all eyes remain on Roy as he struggles with the exhausting task of managing the team through three games in eight days. Tubby Morton is brought in to replace the injured Charlie Carter, and the doctor presses Roy to also get himself medically checked. Roy doesn't have time and is visibly tired as the team prepares for the cup game. Walking onto the field Roy sees double as his head begins swimming.

I wanted to roll my eyes at the sight of Roy in goal, but the truth is I enjoyed every moment of it. His save on the cover of the comic set a high standard for what was to follow and was bettered by some of the panels that followed. The pick of these was the montage panel showing Roy pulling off a variety of saves in different situations. We also had an almost own goal from Lofty Peak, and the dialogue between Roy and Lofty was nice and added to the overall storyline. I do look forward to seeing Tubby Morton back between the sticks. It's a couple of years now since we last saw him, and he brings a sense of history to the club and the story. I didn't expect this week's story to be as good as it was, and with the plot moving quickly and the art delivering on every page, we should be in for a good run over the next few weeks. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Pheeeew! Everyone looking forward to our third game in eight days?"

Skid Solo

Sandy has designed a new car for the forthcoming race season. Skid has doubts that it will ever be built in time, but Sandy surprises him by revealing that it has already been built.

The car looks fast, and the test drive by Skid shows that it is as fast as it looks, getting up to speeds of one hundred and eighty miles per hour on the straight. 

Not long after this, things go bad as a dog runs onto the track. Skid puts the car into full lock to try and avoid it, and the car spins off the track in a horrific accident.

Skid is thrown from the car, and Sandy and Tommy rush to him and find he is in a bad way. This is reinforced by the arrival of an ambulance, and at the hospital, Skid is rushed through for surgery, with the surgeon telling Sandy and Tommy that Skid has multiple injuries and it's going to be a long job to save him.

I thought we saw some great panels in the opening Roy of the Rovers story, but Skid Solo tops them all in every way possible. I quietly sighed at the opening and Skid testing a new car in a scene that felt all too familiar. That changed over the page with the crash, and even on the comic page, it looked shocking. The panels of Skid's face as the dog ran onto the track were intense, and the close-up images added to the drama. The sight of the car crashing off the track was dynamic, and seeing Skid thrown from the car was particularly impactful. Even more shocking was seeing Skid lying still on the grass verge, and Sandy and Tommy running toward him. Things look grim for Skid, very grim indeed, and next week's issue will be a must-read. I still feel shocked, and this story will stick with me for the next few days. This week's story is the best we have seen for a long time, and as such I rate it highly. 

Rating: 10/10

Best line: "A dog on the track!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

In France, George has been stolen by two mysterious men, and Tiny and Martin are rushing toward them as they attempt to push George into the lake. 

The men escape in a Citreon (what else?) and the pursuit is on.  After some wild driving, it all comes to an end as the Citreon crashes into a stone fence. 

The two men take to their heels, leaving Tiny and Martin to clean up the mess. In the back of the Citreon, they find a variety of items, all stolen from the chateau they visited earlier. Not wanting to lose time in the rally, they carry the items to the French-German border and hand them over to the guards, quickly explaining what happened. 

They continue racing across Germany, making up time as they go, and soon they arrive in Berlin. They are quickly waved through into the Russian section, but there they are surprised when three burly Russian soldiers demand that they come with them. 

This was a great reminder of a different time. A divided Germany and a Russian sector gave me serious flashbacks, and it's hard to believe that I lived through such times. The story moved quickly, and although last week I had hoped we would spend more time with the chateau and the mysterious men that didn't happen - although I suspect the Russian interest in Martin and Tiny is related to their French adventures. This was a comedown from the previous two stories we read today, but it did gain some extra shine from being in colour. The car chase was fun, and, although short-lived, it did give us the wonderful image of the Citreon crashing into the stone wall. Luckily no one was hurt, and it was lighter than the Skid Solo story that preceded it. There is enough here to make it a compelling read next week, and despite not loving everything in this issue, I still walk away pretty happy with what we have seen.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "What gives with those guys? Do we follow them?" 

Hot Shot Hamish 

Hamish has been working on his speed training and it's paying off as he scores two quick goals against Fullford Town. In the second half, Fullford Town marks Hamish closely but Hamish manages to slip his marker and looks as though he will score a third goal. However, he is hacked down from behind and earns a free kick. We all know what's coming, and with a hot shot, Hamish scores his third. 

With the game won, the team celebrates in the dressing room. Mister McWhacker has further good news for Hamish - he has found him lodgings that will allow McMutton to stay. 

Hamish is buoyed by this, but when he eventually finds the address he is shocked to see it is not a cottage, but rather a wee boat. The master of the boat is one Captain McSail, and although he is friendly enough, Hamish frets as McMutton doesn't like water.  

Despite some good art moments and some outstanding football action, the story felt a little flat. The final half page let it down, and although it set the scene for what comes next, it didn't match the promise laid out by the exciting football we saw. The football gave us some good Hamish moments, with the hot shot providing some of the best dialogue of the strip as the opposing players all offered excuses of why they dived out of the way. The best panel however was the tackle on Hamish, and this gave the story the impactful image it needed earlier on and set us up for the humorous hot shot that followed. There was some joy to be salvaged from the final panels, and I did like the quiet way in which McMutton showed his displeasure. I'm not sure how I feel about the Captain being named McSail, it's a little on the nose, but then again so is 90% of all the characters, so it is par for the course. At least it wasn't Boatie McBoatface.

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "I didn't duck...I bent to tie my shoelace!"

Johnny Cougar

Johnny is still wrestling against the Footballer, and the Footballer has the upper hand as he locks Johnny in a submission hold. Johnny fights his way out of this hold, throwing the Footballer headfirst into the ring post, leaving him groggy.

The match continues in this heavy style before both wrestlers cannon off the ropes and rush toward each other. Johnny flips into a handstand, catching the Footballer full in the face with his feet and knocking him out 

Johnny has won his first match and now faces the Masked Maniac. The Masked Maniac delivers a message in the final panel, telling Johnny that he's about to face the toughest match of his career. 

I have heard this plenty of times before over Johnnys career, and although I have no doubt that the Masker Maniac will give Johnny a tough fight, I don't think it will be the toughest of his career. The fight we have just seen started slowly, before finally delivering in this week's comic. The action was hard and heavy, and although there was a moment of lightness with Johnny's humour, it stayed focused on the wrestling itself. This played well to my sensibilities, and despite thinking the Footballer was silly, I enjoyed seeing the fight unfold. The blows looked fearsome, and the final kick by Johnny was both inventive and devastating. The Masked Maniac looks serious in the last panel, and I assume he will deliver a match as good as this one. Hopefully, there won't be too much silliness along the way and I can rejoice in the sight of two wrestlers hammering each other, all delivered with some of the best art in the comic. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Someone's going to get hurt...and soon!"

Nipper

Nipper has been ambushed by a bunch of masked figures and this week's story gets off to a fast start as he attempts to fight them off. 

He is unsuccessful and later comes around to see that his kidnappers have removed their masks. They are a bunch of university students, and they tell Nipper that they have kidnapped him as a stunt to raise funds for University Rag Week. Nipper is angry that he has been kidnapped, and he is even angrier about the fact that they are only asking for one hundred pounds in ransom. 

The students decide to change hideouts, and load Nipper into the back of their van. Nipper manages to cut through the ropes holding him and angrily confronts the students driving the van. The driver loses control of the van briefly, and Nipper falls out the back door. As Nipper lies on the road the students run to check on him, but flee as a car approaches. The driver of the car helps Nipper to his feet and offers to drive him home - but Nipper can't remember where he lives, or even his own name. 

I like where this is going. The opening panels of Nipper being kidnapped were good, but then when the wider plot of the University Rag Week was revealed the story seemed to stall. This new angle of Nipper losing his memory restored the energy to the story, and we should get some mileage from this plot line. Already I am hoping that it's not resolved in a week, as it has the potential to be stretched for several months. We shall see. Like the plot, the artwork was at its best early in the strip, and on the final panels. The look of the masked kidnappers was spot on, and the sight of Nipper lying on the road on the final page gave me the same vibe as the Skid Solo story. It's serious, although not to the same degree, and it was given the sober treatment it deserved. We still need to tidy up the student storyline, but that remains secondary for now as the memory loss storyline dominates my thoughts going forward, and it feels that Nipper is finally getting a heavy and dramatic story worth of his tough character.

Rating: 8.5/10

Best line: "You...crazy chumps! Let me out of this! I...I'll give tiy the hundred pounds myself!" 

Billy's Boots

Billy is playing for the English school boys team against West Germany school boys. After tripping over his own laces in the German box, Billy is awarded a penalty, but he speaks to the referee and explains he tripped over his own laces. The penalty is waved off, and Billy earns the respect of the German players for his sportsmanship, and the praise of his own manager. 

At half time the English school's team is down one-nil and the manager has Billy swap positions with another lad who was struggling with the player marking him.

Billy has the same trouble with his marker, but later in the half, some quick passing sees Billy slip his marker and break down the wing. Billy sweeps in a low and hard cross and one of his teammates is on hand to score the equaliser.  

With only minutes remaining, Billy finds his old boots suddenly making him run toward the German goal. He is in the right spot as the German player makes a poor backpass, and Billy scores the winning goal with only a minute remaining. 

Two hours later at the airport, a snowstorm has the players worried about the flight home. Walking through the snow toward the plane, all talk of the weather and Billy has the thought that Dead-shot Keen never travelled by aeroplane, he always used to go by train and boat in his day. 

Surely this isn't going to end up like the Munich air disaster of 1956? The Munich air disaster occurred on 6th February 1956, which would make it almost exactly twenty years before this issue of Tiger. Given that Billy is in Munich, this can't just be a coincidence. I am surprised that the comic would draw from such source material, especially now that I know that twenty years isn't very long at all. I'm only speculating, and we won't know until the next issues, but everything seems to signpost some trouble in the snow in Munich. The rest of the story was sturdy enough and gave me entertaining moments throughout. I liked the crispness of the artwork, and this matched the crispness of the play on the field, making for some fast movement in both the football and the story. Billy's play on the field wasn't overdone, and although the boots played a part, it wasn't over the top. A nice cross from Billy, and then running down a loose backpass was about right and gave the story the right outcome without fate taking too much of a hand. The final panel of the boys boarding the flight was my favourite, not for the impact of the image, but for the quiet menace it presented and the nod to what may come. Understated yet evocative, it was just the ending we needed to take us to the next story. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Well done, Dane...you did quite right to tell the referee what really happened! Now, lads...we're one down...but you can still win..."

Tornado Jones

Tornado Jones is about to set off to break the record time to cross the Pennines and hopefully win ten thousand pounds.

The fact that several riders have gone missing while attempting the same hasn't deterred him, and after Sir Gerald Fitzroy-Parker helps him set up his bike, he sets off. 

He makes good time across the moor early on, but as he begins his journey over the mountain a snowstorm hits. He seeks shelter and waits out the storm, before again starting across the snowy peaks. 

He crashes into an object buried in the snow, and pulling it up he finds that it is a motorcycle, presumably of one of the riders that has gone missing. Riding on, Jones wonders where the rider might be, but is sapped out of his thoughts as his own bike suddenly drops into a hole opening up beneath him. 

Tornado Jones continues to go from strength to strength, and I am well and truly invested in everything we see here. We have some good motorbike action, a mystery at play, and some peril for Jones as the strip ends. With Jim Bleach providing intricate yet easy-to-digest artwork, we get a lot of information from the art itself, and his art is just as important as the words on the page. I'm not a stuntman type of guy, nor am I a bike guy, but I do like the sight of Tornado Jones moving through the landscape and this is helped by the personality imbued in his face. I could feel the cold chill as the snowstorm hit and lived his struggles as he pushed his bike through the snow. We feel a long way from the Tornado Jones who attempted to jump his bike off the ship when he first arrived in the UK. This character isn't as frivolous, and his battles against nature are far more relatable as the character takes in a serious tone for this week, and hopefully future episodes.   

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "Wow-ee! My bike's half-frozen and I'm three-quarters frozen! Maybe this ride isn't going to be as easy as I thought it would be!"    

 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 8/10

Best Story:  Skid Solo 

Best Line: "Och, Skids got to be all right...He's just got to be!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz:

Tiger 3rd January 1976

1976 has arrived. I was only three at the time, but people tell me that it was a very good year, at least on the pages of Tiger. 1976 was the year that Roy Race got his own comic, and although he will remain on the pages of Tiger for a while yet, it will irreversibly change things. That's still to come, and as they say, a journey of a thousand miles starts not with the first mile, but with the first page. Or something like that. Anyhow, 3rd January 1976 presents us with a bold issue pointing to new beginnings and mysterious storylines, all of which bode well for the next few months. Like all the best things in life, I always feel like I was born too late, and although I was three when this issue came out, I know ten-year-old me would have loved it, just as fifty-year-old me has.    

3rd January 1976

Billy's Boots

A Jumbo Jet in full flight is the attention-catching image that opens Billy's Boots. Splashed across the cover of the comic, it demands I look at it and is a spectacular start to the story.

It may seem surprising to catch a Jumbo from Heathrow to Munich, but Billy quickly explains that it was just making a stop on the way, and he was lucky to get a ride for the last leg. There are further surprises as he lands, with some media on hand to ask questions about his arrival in Germany. 

Over the page, we get to the football as Billy arrives at the Olympic stadium. A quick training run with the lads settles Billy's nerves and his boots seem ready for the big game. However, the manager doesn't like the look of Billy's old boots and come game day he is issued a new pair of boots. 

Without his old boots, Billy struggles. His warm-up is terrible, and although the coach offers to get his old boots, Billy finds himself starting the game without them.

His first shot at goal is wayward, and just as things are looking grim, his old boots arrive. Quickly putting them on, Billy is soon dribbling his way through the German team. However, just as he enters the box and is about to shoot, he trips over his own lace and is fortuitously awarded a penalty. 

I'm sure we had a similar situation, not so long ago, with Billy falling over in the box. I would have to go back and check, but I swear it was only a couple of months ago. Billy had best be careful, lest he get a reputation as a diver. This was a lot of fun, and although some things felt shoehorned in, it was still enjoyable. I did wonder why a Jumbo Jet would be flying Billy to Germany, but the quick explanation put me at ease. The sight of journalists waiting for Billy also stretched my belief, but being full of goodwill and cheer, this too I enjoyed for the fun aspect. The front cover was commendable, and it made me want to pick up the comic and read on. The rest of the story is a Billy's Boot story by numbers, with all the usual tropes in place. Billy not having his old boots for the game, and then gets them just as the team go down a goal before the final scene of Billy dribbling through the team. We have seen it all before, but that doesn't lessen my enjoyment of it, nor does it feel stale in this case. The image of Billy shooting at goal and missing was memorable, shown from the pitchside rather than Billy's point of view, and the sight of the two cameramen beside the pitch taking evasive action was a delightful touch. This was a typical Billy's Boots story done well, and although it didn't mine any new material it still remained an integral part of the comic. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "You're not going out there with those old things on, Dane. You'll look ridiculous..."

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy has been advised by a doctor to take a medical, but instead, we find him running stairs at the Melchester ground as the story opens. 

Roy is ignoring the doctor's advice, and later he angrily tells a television reporter that he's sick and tired of being reminded what a tough job he has taken on as player-manager. 

The following Saturday Melchester are playing Kingsbay and we learn that Roy has had to apologize to the TV people and that he still hasn't taken a medical. 

Roy appears to be a little slow in the field, but when Charlie Carter is taken off injured, Roy volunteers to take his place in goal, telling the team that everyone wants him to take a rest, so that's exactly what he will do between the sticks. 

Seeing Roy in goal is always a treat, and I would have given this an 8/10 if not for the fact that he hasn't actually taken his place in goal yet. The rest of the story did a good job of getting us to this point, and this wasn't the twist I expected when I started reading today. I was surprised to see Roy avoiding going to the doctor, this doesn't seem very professional for a footballer such as Roy, but it was just the tension we needed to keep the reader interested and the story moving forward. I expected to see a medical emergency, so this new plot line of Roy in goal is a good diversion and a timely way to keep me involved for a few more issues. The strip continued with strong artwork, and although we didn't see a lot of Roy in action we did get the spectacular image of Carlie Carter getting injured. I'm not an ambulance chaser, but this was the best panel in this week's story, and despite the story being about Roy, the one time another player made an impression. Next week we get to see Roy in goal, and I expect to read the comic with a huge smile on my face as Roy once again demonstrates his all-round footballing ability. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "You did it - you reached the top of the Granite Hill Terraces in thirty-two seconds!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Leading the rally out of Paris and towards Berlin, Tiny and Martin make good time despite the change in weather and the prospect of the rain turning into snow. 

They reach a washed-out bridge near the border with Germany, forcing them to change their route and cross a small wooden bridge further upstream. Later they find a fork in the road, and unsure which to choose, they go to the right. This turns out to be a mistake as they find it's a private road leading them to a large chateau. 

The chateau appears to be empty, and glancing out the window they catch the sight of someone stealing their car. Quickly following the tracks they find two men about to push it in the lake.

A story of intrigue and mystery this week, and although it was like Billy's Boots in that there was a feeling that I had seen it all before, it was still captivating. The final page held all the treasures, with the jewel of the story being the moment Tiny and Martin saw the car being stolen. Not only did this get the pulse racing, but coming on the same page as some intriguing panels of the empty chateau had me asking a lot of questions that can only be answered in the next few issues. The chateau itself looked wonderful on the page, and the entrance hall with the suit of armour was a particular favourite of mine. We have seen the boys in castles and similar buildings before, and it never fails to delight. Although the final panel saw Tiny exclaiming that the rally would be lost if the car went into the lake, any thoughts of the rally had already been banished from my mind as I just wanted to see more of this country house and the mystery surrounding it. 

Rating: 8/10 

Best line: "It...it's a bit spooky in here..."

Nipper

Nipper and his team are playing the first round of the European Cup against Zalmo of Switzerland. After the first leg, Blackport is three-nil up, and in the second left Zalmo is fighting for survival. 

With home-ground advantage, Zalmo is attacking strongly, with Nipper in the thick of the action defending wherever he can. Needing to ease the pressure with a goal, Nipper outsmarts the Zalmo team when they have an attacking corner - stealing the ball and after a series of plays scoring at the other end. 

With a one-nil victory, Blackport is through to the next round, and the flight home is a relaxed one. On the flight, Nipper's landlady tells him he has had a lot of offers for his business and it looks like he will be very busy when they return home. 

Nipper's first job is at an empty house on Blenheinm Avenue. Entering the house, Nipper walks into a trap as four masked men appear and quickly overpower him. 

This was a good ending to an otherwise ho-hum story,. The return leg against Zalmo wasn't particularly interesting and there was a feeling that this was just tying up some loose ends before we got into the serious business of the last half page. The last half page was another beast entirely, and the entertainment factor was high as we had some action and a mystery appear all at once. The final panel of Nipper on the ground with four masked men pouncing was the highlight of the strip, and the anguish on his face was matched in intensity by the dynamic leap of his assailants. It was a satisfying conclusion, and like Martin's Marvellous Mini, it raised a lot of questions that can only be answered in future issues. This is proving to be a strong issue of Tiger comic, and with many stories having cliffhanger endings, there is a lot to lure me back next week. Nipper has bounced back after a slow start this week, and the final panel alone was enough to redeem it in my eyes and make it another favourite. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "He's walked right into the trap!"

Skid Solo 

Skid, Tommy and Sandy are watching bobsledding when Sandy tells his pals that he once won the two-man bob about fifteen years ago,. 

Skid thinks he's kidding, but back at the hotel, there is a photo of Sandy and Sir Thomas Mainly to prove it. Sandy then regales Skid with the story of how it came to be. 

Sandy was working for Sir Thomas at an engineering firm and Sir Thomas talked him into racing with him. All Sandy had to do was work the brake while Sir Thomas did the steering. 

Their first training run was very slow, with Sandy being scared and braking all the way down. On race day Sit Thomas chastises him and tells him they will have to be much faster to win. 

Their race goes well, with Sandy resisting the urge to brake, and the pair winning the race by a mere two seconds. Sir Thomas asks Sandy what happened, as the day before he had been much too scared. Sandy confesses that the reason he didn't brake was because he fainted with fright halfway down the run and was unconscious for most of the run. 

Back in the present, Sandy tells Skid that he made a resolution never to race a bob-sleigh again, and Tommy chips in that it's probably the only New Year resolution that Sandy has ever kept.

I love it when Sandy gets some time in the spotlight, and with Skid taking a background role in this story it was an exciting read that had a freshness to it. Sandy was the everyman character in this story, and his plight of being stuck being brakeman for Sir Thomas had an air of authenticity about it that I liked. Having been talked into one too many uncomfortable situations by my boss, I felt for poor old Sandy sitting in the back of the bob. The artwork that came with the story was outstanding, and instead of having two or three outstanding panels, we have a couple of pages of them. Every panel showing the bob racing, or Sandy and Sir Thomas was top-notch, and there were any number of moments here that I could have picked as a favourite,. This was one story that I wanted to read twice, the art was a delight to the eyes, and even without the strong storyline it still would have remained an essential read. No Skid this week, but the story was as strong as ever and one can only hope that the next time Skid gets on the track he can deliver a story as good as this one. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "I dinna think I can, sir...my legs are like jelly!"

Tornado Jones 

Tornado Jones is riding the Wall of Death at a fairground, hoping to make some good money with a 50/50 share of the profits. Unfortunately, the Wall of Death is rather old-fashioned, and despite his riding abilities, no one is interested in watching except one older gentleman.

Coming down off the ride, Tornado Jones is approached by this man who it turns out has an interesting proposition for him. This man is Sir Gerald Fitzroy-Parker and he owns the old mansion up on the hill. Many years ago his father rode the two-hundred and fifty-mile trek across the Pennines on an old Starlight Special. This took place in winter and despite the conditions, he completed it in two days four hours and ten minutes. 

He was so proud of his achievement that he offered a prize of ten thousand pounds to anyone who could beat his time. Tornado Jones is immediately interested, although Sir Gerald warns him that he has made the same offer to three other riders in the past month, and all of them have vanished on the moors without a trace. 

This was a lot better than last week, with a clear plot line and the groundwork laid for another intriguing storyline. Vanishing riders on the moors sounds like just the ticket, and finally, there is the feeling that Tornado Jones has a solid storyline to embrace. He has been uneven since his arrival, and it was only the storyline about the giant wave in Wales that provided any substance to the character. This moor ride should prove all the more challenging, and with mystery in the air, there is more than pure action to drive the story. This week's story started slowly and we had a whole page dedicated to the Wall of Death before the real story emerged on the second page. With little action, it was the facial expressions of the characters that carried the drama, and as we have commented many times before Jim Bleach is a master of this, this issue being a fine example of his craft. A slow issue, but a most necessary one, and next week we should see some reward for this plot that has been put in place.  

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "You'll never make a fortune that way, Mister Jones! You'll have to try something more original...like the ride of Moorland madness!" 

Johnny Cougar 

Finally, all the Christmas nonsense is behind us and Johnny Cougar is starting his bout against the Footballer. 

The Footballer proves to be a worthy opponent, and early on gains the advantage with some strong kicks. Johnny comes back later in the round, and the Footballer is flung from the ring.

There is some playful silliness from Johnny, but the fight soon regains its intensity, with both wrestlers having moments of strength. However, it is the Footballer who finishes the stronger, and after it looks as though Johnny has him in a pinfall, the Footballer grabs him in a submission hold.

Great, after weeks of mucking about we finally have an episode dedicated to wrestling. As much as I have enjoyed the issues leading up to this, with last week being the notable exception, I am pleased to see us getting back to basics with Johnny in the ring. The entire story was dedicated to wrestling, with only one panel showing Johnny playing a practical joke. Every other panel was physical combat between the two men with a series of holds, kicks and throws appearing throughout the comic. I enjoy the periphery action that surrounds Johnny Cougar as this gives an interesting context for these fights to occur, but nothing beats seeing the big man in the ring doing what he was born to do. Not the most exciting of episodes but for wrestling purists it was was delight, and there's nothing like getting back to basics to reignite my enthusiasm for the story. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "What's wrong, Cougar? I don't see any smile now? Try joking your way out of this situation!"

Hot Shot Hamish 

After celebrating Christmas on Hamish's island, the Princes Park team is now doing a training run to work off the party. 

Hamish is falling behind, and as Mister McPodger goes past in a cart Hamish asks him was his secret was to being a fast runner when he was younger. 

Mister McPodger tells him he needs to run over the hills, and giving him a heavy parcel he asks him to deliver it to McHackle's place. He also tells him that once he reaches McHackle's to ask if he can take a run with Rufus, that will increase his speed. 

This Hamish does, although he is surprised to find that Rufus is a ferocious dog, and his run consists of him trying not to be bitten by Rufus. 

Come game day and it all pays off. A long kick has Hamish racing down the field, and with his newfound speed, it reaches the ball and smashes it into the net with his hotshot. The comic ends with Hamish telling us that 1976 is going to be their year and they are out for promotion.

A gentle end to this week's Tiger comic with some light comedy taking us into 1976. Unlike other strips in this week's comic, the story didn't end with a cliffhanger and some outstanding action, but rather it put a bow on what had come earlier in the pages. The vein of comedy mid-story was the essence of this week's strip, and it gave us some more great artwork with the sight of Hamish trying to outrun the dog. It was funny without being hilarious and was the best moment of the strip. The buildup to this was pleasant without being essential, as was the game that followed. It seems next week will be where the real story starts, and although this was pleasant I can't wait to see something more substantial appear as we embrace 1976. 

Rating: 7/10

Best Line: "Ye're a traitor, McPodger! Ye tricked me!"    

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7.5/10

Best Story:  Skid Solo 

Best Line: "This is the slowest time ever recorded, McGrath! You'll have to do better than that tomorrow or we'll be a laughing stock. Now, get up, man..."

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz:

Tiger 27th December 1975

The annual Christmas issue is never my favourite issue of Tiger. Christmas stories are shoehorned in, disrupting the natural flow of the stories with only the odd one managing to weave Christmas day naturally into the plot. This year, Billy's Boots is the most successful to do this, while all the other Christmas storylines feel jarring in the wider context of each story. It's hard to believe that the next issue will be from 1976, this year has gone by so fast, and this Christmas issue isn't quite the exclamation point I would like to put on the year. It does what it has to do, but 1976 will be a whole lot better and I can't wait to pick up all the threads next week.  

27th December 1975

Billy's Boots

You know it's going to be a good issue when the first thing you see is Billy at home with Gran. In a warm scene, Billy's Gran decorates the Christmas tree while the two talk of Billy's forthcoming trip to Germany. Billy's Gran is worried about the prospect of spending Christmas alone, but Billy assures her that he won't be leaving until the day after Christmas day.

Raiding his piggy bank, Billy goes Christmas shopping with Jimmy. It's a fruitful trip, and Billy gets a gift for his Gran,

On Christmas day, Billy's Gran is delighted with her gift, as is Billy with the gift he gets in return - a new sports bag he had desired. 

Festivities over, Billy goes to the airport alone. He is sent to the gate, and as he wanders out to his plane he begins to worry about what awaits him a Munich. 

A lovely little story with Billy and Gran at the centre of all that's happening. The opening dialogue helped cement the reasoning behind Billy suddenly making the Schools Team to visit Germany and helped appease some of my complaints last week. It was heartwarming to see the boy help his Gran prepare for Christmas, and although the shopping expedition briefly became silly, order was restored as we saw Billy and his Gran celebrate Christmas day. Billy's fears about travelling abroad alone were nicely highlighted, and I did have a giggle at his Gran referring to his "passport thing that the man gave you." This was easily the best Christmas story this week, with Billy's main footballing story continuing to move forward, while we had time to celebrate Christmas with his lovely Gran. Perfectly pitched, it caught the tone of the season just right and left me looking forward to Christmas myself.  

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Now you've got your ticket...and that passport thing the man gave you! And remember to behave yourself out there!"

Tornado Jones 

Tornado Jones has agreed to play the part of Santa Claus and distribute toys at a local hospital. However it is with a twist, and Jones jumps his motorbike onto a see-saw, sending a box of gifts flying into the air and the awaiting arms of the children. 

It looks like trouble for Tornado Jones as a police car comes through the gate and asks who was riding the motorbike, They tell Jones that all riders must wear a crash helmet at all times, but Jones is in the clear as he pulls back his Santa hood to reveal his helmet underneath. 

The police recognise him as the famous stunt rider and ask if he could help with their motorbike display that afternoon since they are a man short.

Jones agrees, and the story ends with Joens playing a key part in the motorcycle pyramid display that the police team put on.

In contrast to Billy's Boots, this story focused solely on Christmas and Tornado Jones part in it. There was no overarching storyline, and there was nothing more to be inferred than what we saw on the page. Tornado Jones gave out gifts, Tornado Jones helped the Police riding team. A basic idea, simply told. The art looked great, and once again it was far better than the story being told. This week's issue is full of Childrens Hospitals and orphanages, and this story sets the tone for what will follow. It's all very commendable, but not always the most exciting thing to read. The final tagline promises a new adventure next week, and we can only hope it will be as good as the recent Welsh storyline, and we can quickly forget what we saw here. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "Yikes...these cops are all stuntmen... every one of them!"

Martin's Marvellous Mini 

With their mini dangling over a cliff tied to a rope, and the tree it is tied to about to give way, things are desperate for Martin and Tiny. They aren't helped by the appearance of a photographer sent by Mr Twastle, who takes photos of their predicament for publicity.

However, help is at hand, and a local farmer helps them save their car, and soon they are back in the race.

They have a further stroke of luck as they approach Paris and find all the other competitors have been stopped by the police and are being fined for speeding. With no one in front of them, Martin and Tinty arrive first in Paris and have the lead. 

They celebrate in typical style, buying a load of Christmas gifts and driving to the nearest children's hospital. Mr Twaste doesn't see how he can get publicity for this, but in the final panel, Tiny tells him he can advertise this with the caption "Give yourself a present! Take a holiday at Twastle's Island"

The first half of the story was highly enjoyable and I liked the idea of an idiot photographer following them around. In some regards, this story is ahead of its time, and being followed by a photographer speaks far more to this current generation than it does to someone in 1975. We are still twenty years away from the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the idea of being pursued by photographers who offer no help is a novel idea. This would read very differently in 1997, and wouldn't be as much fun. The second half of the story, although well-intentioned, wasn't as good, and seeing Martin and Tiny giving gifts to Children in a hospital didn't fill me with seasonal joy. I am sounding like a Grinch here, but the truth is I love Christmas. It's just that I love these stories so much, and I want to cram as much of what each story does best on the page, rather than get distracted by gift-giving and other children. A little selfish, I know, and Christmas does come but once a year. Rest assured, my loved ones will reap the rewards of my generosity when Christmas Day comes, but until then I wish it was a little more low-key in the comics I am reading.     

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "I wonder where that idiot photographer is?"

Roy Of The Rovers

England is one-nil down as in the closing minutes Roy attempts to get onto the end of an incoming free kick, His shirt is pulled by a Mulvanian player, but despite being thrown off balance Roy scores with a dynamic overhead kick. 

It's real Roy Of The Rovers stuff, and the England players celebrate the end of the match and Roy's incredible goal. However, in the dressing room, Roy receives a shock when Penny tells him that Melchester Robvers squandered their two-goal lead and the game ended as a two-all draw.

In the car on the way home, Roy tells Penny that he is shattered and all he wants to do is rest. Penny reminds him that they have one more thing to do - a television broadcast from the Children's Hospital. 

Roy makes his appearance, and with the cameras rolling he delights the children with some gifts and a display of his footballing skills. Things take a turn as he falls while kicking the ball. A doctor comes to see him and tells Roy he needs to get a complete medical checkup as soon as possible, leaving Roy worried about what could possibly be wrong. 

Roy Of The Rovers successfully manages to weave Christmas into its main story, and having Roy take a tumble at the hospital was timely. It sets up well for a medical examination, and pulling back a little I can see how we were manoeuvred into this position. It was very well done, and almost seamless in execution. The highlight of the story has to be another appearance of Penny. Once again she looks dazzling and I love her fresh look. Her cute hat is very of the time, but it adds to her allure, giving her a fashionable look suitable for a WAG. Nowadays she would be a social media influencer, flaunting a new look every week on Instagram. As she is, stuck in the seventies, she remains untainted by modern technology, and she is all the better for it. I want to see what is the cause of Roy's troubles, but more than that I want to see Penny by his side, supporting him all the way. She's that type of girl, so expect to see plenty more of her as Roy's troubles continue to escalate.      

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "All this pressure is giving me nightmares! Thank the stars it's nearly Christmas, Penny! All I'm going to do is flake out in front of the telly!"

 

Skid Solo

Skid and half a dozen top racing drivers have decided to put on a free show for the boys and girls of a local orphanage. Snow ruins this plan, and instead, they meet the children in a big hall where Al Ledstock tells them the story of how he first became a racing car driver.  

Using flashbacks, Al tells of his poor upbringing on a farm in America. Saving hard he got his first car when he was eighteen, an old banger that he drove fast.

His mother receives two expensive tickets to the Grand Ball in New York. She would love to go, but she can't afford to buy a dress grand enough for the ball. 

Al decides that he will give up his dream of being a racing car driver, and sells the car to get enough funds to buy a fancy dress for his mother. He visits a dress shop and selects a beautiful dress which he later surprises his mother with when he gets home.

Unfortunately, his mother has sold her expensive tickets to the ball so the family will have extra money for food. This is no problem for Al, he still has some money left over from selling his car, and he uses this to buy two more tickets for his mother.

At the ball, there is a prize draw, and luckily it's Al who wins it. The prize is a new sports car and a thousand-dollar check. With that, Al's dream of becoming a racecar driver is reignited and leads him to where he is now. The strip ends with Al telling Skid that he hopes one of the youngsters in the orphanage has a fairy tale like his come true. 

A nice story about Al, and it left me wanting to know more about the other drivers Skid races against. It had the usual Christmas themes but came at it from a new angle, and gave us something we hadn't seen before on the page, making it an interesting read. It's hard to see how other drivers could be presented with a back story, Skid Solo doesn't normally lend itself to other drivers and flashbacks, which makes this one all the more curious. A great Cinderella story reworked for the times, I rejoiced in seeing Al Ledstock's humble beginnings, and it left me hungry for more. I never thought I would enjoy a story without Skid Solo the main character so much, but I did and now I'm open to seeing much more of the same. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "I guess I've got to grow up one day...and stop dreaming of being a racing car driver. It just isn't the sort of thing that happens to a boy like me..."

Hot Shot Hamish 

When we last left Hot Shot Hamish, it had just been discovered that his pet sheep, McMutton, had eaten the player's wages. That is quickly put to rest this week as in the first panel Alistair McBrain tells the gathered team the wages are safe as he had locked them in the safe. 

With that, the team disperse for Christmas. Hamish would like to invite them all to his home island to spend Christmas with him, but they quickly disappear, leaving him alone with his thoughts as he does Christmas shopping. 

Returning to his island, Hamish finds that the house is empty and even his Daddie is gone, leaving Hamish alone for Christmas. 

Depressed, Hamish sits alone watching the TV. On TV we see a column of guests about to surprise someone for Christmas, and at that moment Hamish receives a knock on the door.

Opening the door he is surprised to see a TV crew, and the Princes Park players there to celebrate Christmas with him. It is a wonderful surprise, and Hamish celebrates Christmas with his teammates, his Daddie, and of course, his pet sheep McMutton.

Despite being another Christmas story, I couldn't help but love all I read here. The artwork was splendid, and the images of Hamish alone on his island were evocative and gave the story a great feel. The plot itself was fairly predictable, but it was elevated by the morose face of Hamish, and the way that McMutton stuck by his side. In a nice twist, it wasn't Hamish helping out other people or visiting a hospital, but rather his friends and family coming to him. It wasn't overplayed in the final panels, and I felt it was pitched just right for the story it was telling. I first read Hamish because he was my namesake, but after all these years I am finding the story to be deeper than I first thought as we dip into Hamish's loneliness regularly. This is a theme that has surfaced several times in the last couple of years, and there have been many instances where we see Hamish outcast and alone. He deserves better, and it usually ends well for the big man, but still, it's an interesting choice to take with the character. This story isn't the best of the week, Billy's Boots just pips it, but it is a close second, and if I was basing it on art alone it would easily be the best. 

Rating 8/10

Best line: "Och, ma Daddie's awa', too! Maybe he's had an invitation to stay with friends. No-one wants us, McMutton!"

Johnny Cougar

Despite fighting against The Footballer, the Christmas theme is strong throughout Johnny Cougar. The bout begins with some football shenanigans, but soon Johnny COugar has broken out Santa outfits,m and he and the Footballer are suitably clad for the season. 

After throwing gits to the crowd, Cougar surprises his opponent with a spring-loaded Christmas tree. Not to be outdone, the Footballer responds with a cream cake aimed at Cougar's face. However, this cake is misdirected, catching Soplash Gorton in yeh face, leaving him to deliver the last line wishing everyone a merry Christmas. 

This was silly through and through - and not in a good way. Last week I thought the Footballer might be a worthy opponent for Cougar, but this week both are portrayed as cartoon characters fooling around in the ring. The art looked good, but one look at the word balloons made it clear that nothing here was to be taken seriously. I thought the fight could have been portrayed as more serious than it was, and although I expected some Christmas silliness from Cougar, I didn't expect the whole strip to be devoted to it. Nor did I expect the Footballer to take part in it. Presenting the  Footballer as a serious threat was already an uphill battle, and this Christmas issue has done him no favours. All we can hope for now is that he is quickly defeated and we can move on to a far more serious opponent. Somewhat of a wasted opportunity, I appreciated the Christmas angle of the story, but it failed to do much more than present a series of slapstick events that left me wishing the next issue would quickly come. 

Rating: 5/10

Best line: "Cougar declare a truce. Right now, put on Father Christmas outfit...we have heap pleasant work to do..." 

Nipper

Nipper's marathon twenty-four-hour fundraising game continues this week, and as we pick up the action, Nipper and his pal Mike Bateson are almost out on their feet. 

Help is at hand, and just as they are about to collapse the rest of the Blackport team arrives to raise the flagging energy levels. 

The game ends later on Christmas Eve as Nipper scores his one-hundredth goal. With the supporters club offering their venue for free, and a healthy sum raised by the match, the party for the kids goes ahead on Christmas day. The highlight of the party comes as a giant football decorated like a Christmas pudding is wheeled out. The children are delighted as Nipper bursts from this ball, and with new strips for all, he is the hero of the moment. Despite all this good cheer, Nipper is worried about the game the following day, especially as every part of his body has cramps.

Come at the end of the comic, Nipper often suffers in my eyes from reading fatigue. this week it's not me that fatigued, but rather him, and I enjoyed the first half of the story immensely. Seeing Nipper and Mike struggle with their marathon game looked great on the page, and there were several memorable images of them both almost out on their feet. We had the predictable outcome of the game, with Nipper scoring the final goal and the money raised for the worthy cause, and the rest of the story merely put a bow on all that came before. I was surprised to see Nipper with a Martini glass in his hand in the penultimate panel, but the final panel does show a bottle of fizz nearby so I guess we are to make the assumption that he's drinking something non-alcoholic. The final party I could have done without, I feel partied out by all the other parties scattered through the comic, but it was right for the story and did give Nipper a chance to mention what is coming next. A European game next week, and it looks like we will be straight into the action in 1976. Get a good night's sleep Nipper, you're going to need it.  

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Wakey, wakey, Nipper! The lads are here!"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 6.5/10

Best Story:  Billy's Boots 

Best Line: "You're going to Germany? Oh, Billy, not on Christmas day! I'll be all alone..."

Best Panel:

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