Tiger 31st January 1976

Great news for all readers. I have been on summer holiday long enough that I no longer know what day it is. The days are sailing by on a warm, gin-scented, breeze, and I must say this three-week break has done me a world of good. It hasn't done a world of good for my waistline, however, and the days of snacking on Christmas leftovers and sampling craft beers are beginning to show. Yet another reminder that I am no longer young, and the days of abusing my body over Christmas and still performing on the sports field are well and truly over. The most taxing thing I do nowadays is read comics and write my thoughts. It's more stressful than you might think, and in the back of my mind is the thought that my boss will be calling in a few days to remind me to come back to work. These are my final days of a classic summer holiday, and I am going to spend them with Tiger comic dated 31st January 1976. 

31st January 1976

Billy's Boots

Billy's form slumped after having his new bike stolen during a game. However, during his next game the local policeman appears with Billy's bike and a half time tells him that they found the kid who stole it. 

With this news, Billy is reinvigorated and scores a superb solo goal. He follows this up with an assist for Jimmy and the game is won two-nil. 

After the game, Billy is told that the boy who stole his bike is going to court. His name is Mickey Brown and apparently, this is the first thing he has ever stolen. 

Billy and Jimmy are practising their passing while at the park, and a kid comes over to ask if he can play with them. They readily agree, and Billy receives a shock when he asks the boy his name- it is Micky Brown, the bicycle thief. 

Last week Billy's Gran stole the show in a single panel, and she does that again this week. The image of her serving dinner to Billy and telling him that the bicycle thief deserves all he gets was evocative and could have well been lifted out of my own life. A stern Grandmother with a strong sense of wrong and right was just the right card to be played at this moment and it trumped all that came before and after it. 

The rest of the story wasn't as good as this panel, and although I have given the story a strong rating, it didn't grab me in the way the previous issues have. Billy and his bike being stolen was a good concept and well-worked. The thought of a court case on the horizon also arouses my curiosity, and I am intrigued to see how that will work out. Yet, all this in the future, and there was nothing in this particular issue that thrilled me. 

I am not so fussed about Micky Brown's look. In the first panel we see him he looks like a young kid - so far so good. However, in the final panel as he joins Billy and Jimmy the perspective is slightly out and he looks like a jumping gnome next to them. It is the only bum note in the artwork that was otherwise singing throughout the story. In fact, this was a superb-looking Billy's Boots, which made the final panel all the more jarring. 

Rather interestingly, although Billy played magnificently, scoring a goal and setting up another, not once was credit given to his boots. This was refreshing and lifted the story in my eyes. I shall be curious to see if this is a one-off, or if it will occur again in future.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "You say the police are taking the boy to court? Well, serves him right!"

Johnny Cougar

Splash Gorton hopes that Johnny Cougar's recent defeat to the Masked Maniac has taught him a lesson about fooling around. He tells Cougar that he needs to concentrate more on his wrestling, and Cougar responds that it's not good to be serious all the time. 

Cougar and Splash go to see the next two matches in the tournament. The bout between the  Footballer and the Pirate shows that the Pirate will be tough to beat when Cougar faces him. The next fight is of more interest to Cougar as it features his next opponent, the Chinaman, against the Masked Maniac. 

The Masked Maniac defeats the Chinaman with a knockout, and after the fight taunts Cougar in the crowd. Wheeling a screen on stage, the Maked maniac shows highlights of last week's bout when he beat Cougar. This is all too much for Cougar, and he jumps into the ring, smashing through the screen to attack the Masked Maniac. 

Splash jumps in to calm the situation, but as he and Cougar leave the arena he notices Cougar clutching his arm. He has injured himself jumping through the screen and with his next contest tomorrow he doesn't have time to get himself fit again. 

This was a curious Johnny Cougar story, with Johnny taking no part in the wrestling action. The only action that he did take part in was smashing through the screen that the Masked Maniac had erected, and although this is an important plot point, the action was a single panel. 

With this, it fell to the other characters to carry the story. While Johnny provided exposition we had our first look at The Pirate and The Chinaman (probably not a name that would fly today). The Pirate carries a flamboyant look, but he doesn't amount to much in the ring. The Chinaman has an air of menace about him, which only emphasised how good The Masked Maniac is as we saw him handily beat him. From what we have seen here it is hard to get excited about either new character's future prospects. 

The Masked Maniac dominated the story physically but also drove the story forward with his taunting of Johnny and contributions to the overall story arc. Johnny may be wrestling the other characters, but The Masked Maniac remains the overarching villain of the piece. While the story wasn't the most thrilling this week, this wider storyline holds great promise and is the main reason why I rate this one well. Several important pieces fell into place today, and seeing it all come together in the coming weeks should be a treat.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Heap lucky smash hit Cougar last time...you not be so lucky again!" 

Martin's Marvellous Mini

Tiny and Martin have dug their car out of the avalanche and are now speeding towards Moscow. In a helicopter overhead, Mr Twastle does all he can to prevent them from winning, swooping low and trying to push them off the road. 

He fails in his attempts and flies back to Moscow where he learns that Martin and Tiny aren't winning, although they are second and making good speed toward Moscow. 

Mr Twastle takes a taxi to the outskirts of Moscow and intercepts Tiny and Martin. Climbing in the car, he tells them the road is blocked and offers to show them a way around the detour. 

After sending them down several sideroads, they emerge back on the main road, just behind the two lead cars. As they speed after them, Tiny notices the black mask in Mr Twastle's pocket and realises that the helicopter pilot was wearing exactly the same mask. 

We are reaping the rewards of last week's issue, and it was all thrown into the mix for this issue. We had fast car racing action, helicopters buzzing overhead, and Tiny unmasking the wider plot. 

Each one of these aspects of the story looked great on the page, and the story was well-paced to give each aspect its due. A two-page, fast-moving story, yet it gave time for each story point to breathe and the overall feeling was although it was fast, nothing was glossed over.

It wasn't just the action that told the story. The faces of the characters were liberally sprinkled throughout, and each flash of a grim-faced Martin, or a shocked Mister Twastle added another layer to the story. It gave the story a realistic feel, even when they were doing unrealistic things, and every panel containing a close-up of a face elevated the story and gave it an extra sheen. The artwork of David Sque cannot be underestimated, and given that he is pulling double duty in this week's comic, it is all the more impressive. Everything that comes across his drawing board is imbued with a sense of humanity, and when paired with a thrilling story like this, we get something very special indeed.

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "We're losing time! We're never going to win like this! Are you sure this is the right way, Mister Twastle?"

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy is back in the team after his recent troubles with exhaustion, and the Rovers are on form playing against the reserves - winning their match seven - two. 

However, Roy receives a shock when after the game Jumbo Trudgeon tells him that he'll be leaving the team. Roy realises that there is no one in the reserves who can step up to the first team. As luck would have it, Alf Roper, a former Melchester Scout, is paying a visit and tells Roy that he has seen a promising youngster named Gerry Holloway. 

Roy and Alf speed off to see the player, who just so happens to have a game that night. Arriving at the game, Roy is stunned when he sees Gerry Holloway hardly moving on the field and has only touched the ball twice. He isn't exerting himself at all, and Roy is left wondering why Alf Roper has brought him all this way to see the laziest player he's ever seen.

Following on from Martin's Marvellous Mini, we have another masterclass from David Sque for this week's Roy Of The Rovers. However, the plot cannot match the previous strip for intensity, and for all of David's fine work here, we have a less compelling strip. 

However, the strip is notable for the introduction of Gerry Holloway (my computer keeps trying to change this to Geri Halliwell. Imagine her playing for Melchester Rovers...). Roy is unimpressed with what he has seen so far, but I am quietly confident that he will come around to see Holloway as the player he needs. The sight of Roy and Alf in the car about to drive to the match warmed the cockles of my heart, and even though I wasn't thrilled with the following story, it did provide a comforting moment that spoke to the history of the comic and characters from the past. 

Roy Of The Rovers is in a transition period right now, and it needs a strong, tightly focused storyline to snap it back in line. Gerry Holloway signing for the team is a necessary stepping stone to move on Jumbo Trudgeon (whose farewell, it should be noted, was light and hardly worthy of a player of such significance). The sooner Gerry Holloway can be brought on board, the better, and then Roy and the team can move on to bigger things, and hopefully, an engaging storyline that will keep me eager to read more.   

Rating: 6/10

Best line: "Because Alf Roper is the man who discovered Roy Race...over twenty-one years ago!"

Skid Solo 

Tommy and Sandy are in Australia, getting race experience for Tommy while Skid is laid up in hospital. 

Tommy is offered a car, and Skid tells Sandy to enter Tommy in a Formula Junior race being run the following day. 

Sandy offers Tommy strict instructions on race day, telling him he must come in on lap thirty-five to refuel. There is no need to worry about this, other drivers will be refuelling too and he should be OK. 

Skid calls from his hospital bed again, asking Sandy how the race is going. Sandy tells him the race has just started and Tommy is doing well. This is correct, and Tommy is in first place when he comes in on lap thirty-five for his refuel. 

Skid calls again soon after this, and Sandy confirms that Tommy has just refuelled and is just behind the race leaders. When Skid asks who the race race leaders are, his demeanour changes and he tells Sandy to get a message to Tommy to drive as hard as he can. The race leader is Les Robinson, and Skid thinks he probably has put a larger tank in his car so he doesn't have to refuel. 

Skid is right, and Sandy gets the message out to Tommy. Tommy pushes hard for the remaining laps and is rewarded as he finds a way around Robinson on the final corner. In the hospital, Skid is still on the phone and happy to hear about the victory. A nurse next to him asks if it was almost like being behind the wheel himself, and Skid assures her that it was nothing like it, but he sure wishes it was. 

Even when Skid isn't trackside, he still finds a way to inject himself into the story, This was cleverly done via the use of the telephone. It was a timely reminder of how far technology has come, as nowadays not only could Skid be in constant contact throughout every aspect of the race, but he would also probably be privy to every sensor and readout in the car, even at such a distance. 

I am warming up to the character of Tommy, but it is Sandy who remains my firm favourite. Every emotion is reflected on his face, and he is a character you can read easily through his facial expressions alone. His smile while on the phone to Skid spoke of their friendship, while later when he was issuing instructions to Tommy he was all business and serious to the core. He often gets the best lines, but in this case, he also gets the best artwork. 

Sandy got the best of it, but the artwork throughout this strip was of the highest level. Not just Skid Solo, but this entire issue is full of superb art, and it pleasing to the eye through every page. In Skid Solo we have several fine images of Tommy in his car, the car radiating power, while Tommy was made all the smaller and younger for it. Sandy organizing the race, and remaining in touch with Skid provided more fodder for the artist as he was characterised as a hardworking, dependable chap. Finally, we have Skid, still in his bed back in Britain, He remained upbeat, with the art reflecting his positivity, and joy at seeing Tommy doing well. 

All of this made the story better than it really was and was a testament to the power of art. A solid story greatly elevated by the craftsmanship put into it, and this was much better than it deserved to be. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Mister McGrath...telephone call for you...from Britain!"

Hot Shot Hamish 

Princes Park wins their game easily, and coming off the pitch they are instructed to assemble for the team photo. Following on from last week, McFrame, the photographer, is having trouble with McMutton, Hamish's pet sheep. 

McMutton has chewed McFrame's cape, and as he prepares to photograph the team, McFrame waves away McMutton. McMutton responds by ramming McFrame with his horns and McFrame ends up in a crumpled heap with his camera equipment. 

Back at the mansion where Hamish is staying with a wealthy fan, Hamish prepares for a party thrown by Mister McCash. He decides to wear a pullover his Granny has knitted, and suitably attired makes his way to the ballroom. The shocked guests, all in evening wear, stare at him, some thinking he is a servant who has lost his way, while others say he looks like a refugee from a jumble sale. 

Both halves of the story provided laughs but it was the second part of the story that really spoke to me. Hamish as a fish out of water offers plenty of potential for laughs, but also makes Hamish a sympathetic character. I laughed at the sight of him wearing a sweater knitted by his Granny (and reflected on the knitted garments that my own Grandmother gave me) but I also felt his humiliation as he made his entrance. My heart swelled as he strode down the stairs, proud of his attire, only to be completely deflated as the first guests commented on his outfit. 

These contrasting feelings, rubbing up hard against each other, gave the story an uneasy tension and is one of the reasons it is always a favourite. Hamish is the most relatable character in the comic to me (and it is not just a shared first name), and I laugh just as much with him as at him. Similarly, his disasters are my disasters, and I cringe at some of the situations he finds himself in. 

Football is almost secondary to the wider world of Hamish Balfour, and although we see Princes Park week after week, the story is much more than a story of a player who plays for Princes Park. It is Hamish's hot shot that has the title, but he is much more than a man with a hot shot, he is a character blessed with all the traits, the triumphs and tragedies, of a real human, and as such is the most real character on the pages of Tiger. Not everyone is the smartest or most successful, most of us are just average Joes making our way through life the best we can, just like Hamish Balfour.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "I wonder what there'll be to eat? Meat pies, maybe...or trifles...or great big steaks..." 

Nipper

Nipper has lost his memory, including how to play football, yet has still managed to score a goal as Blackport play a league game. 

Nipper thinks he has scored from a throw-in, and it is Mike Beatson who explains to him that it is not allowed under the rules of the game. Luckily halftime is blown shortly after and Nipper is subbed off. 

He is examined by the club doctors, who can find nothing wrong with him despite the memory loss. As they come out of the tunnel, Nipper's girlfriend Kerry calls to him. Nipper doesn't recognise her, and it's Andy Stewart who explains that she is his girlfriend. 

Nipper says if that is the case, he can't wait to start remembering again. As Nipper looks dreamily at Kerry, Andy Stewart looks on, worried that if Nipper's memory returns in the middle of the second-round European Cup game, it could lead to the biggest punch-up of the season.

You already know what I'm going to say. Kerry is here, and not only does she steal Nipper's heart, but she also steals mine. Oh, comic book romances. The football provided solid action, but it was the appearance of Kerry and the further development in the storyline that got my heart racing. 

Last week we saw how the memory loss affected Nipper on the field, this week that scope widened and we saw further fishhooks thrown into the story. I took the bait on all of them. Nipper sees Kerry as if for the first time, and instantly being smitten, makes a touching moment that speaks volumes of his love for her. Even a jaded idiot such as me couldn't help but smile at what was unfolding on the page and it is a plotline that should be exploited in the coming weeks.

Andy Stewart's final line pointing towards the next game also pulled me in. It is obvious that these stories need to hook you back for next week, yet it's all done so well that I can't help but get caught up in it every time. I am dying to know what Nippper's trouble with the Italian club is, and I am equally intrigued to see if a punchup will develop. I don't condone violence, but in this case, I am looking forward to seeing some haymakers being thrown. 

The artwork was a step up this week. The page was much cleaner, with less background noise and some very clean lines. This added efficiency to the story, giving me the bare facts and allowing me to quickly reach the key moments. I like to linger on my comics, and although this story shot me quickly to the finish line, I did make the time to go back and have a second look at the artwork. I found myself gazing upon it, much like Nipper looking at Kerry in the final panel, full of both love and admiration, for the quality of work put into this comic week after week.  

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "Er, who's the doll, Mister Stewart?" 

Tornado Jones 

Tornado Jones has bungled his latest stunt, accidentally freeing a Tiger who is now slinking toward a nearby village. 

Acting quickly, Jones gets his spare motorcycle, and a coil of rope and sets forth to bring the Tiger back alive.

The tiger is creating mayhem in the village and it isn't long before Jones on on his bike giving chase. He lassos the tiger easily enough, but the Tiger is strong and pulls Jones from his bike. 

Dragging Jones from the village, the tiger jumps over the edge of the bank, sending Jones tumbling.

Last week the tiger looked limp and uninspired. This week he is reinvigorated and energised, looking much more like a real tiger. The change is noticeable, and it seems Jim Bleach has found a way to present a tiger worthy of its fearsome reputation.   

This supercharged the whole story, and I came away from this week's issue far more enthusiastic than last week. The story moved quickly, and showing plenty of the tiger in the village certainly added to the drama. We had a number of panels showing the chaos the tiger was causing. The scenes in the butcher shop were my favourite, but there were several more vying for my attention, and in particular, the sight of the villagers all running about in the main street was noteworthy. 

Tornado Jones tumbling over the bank wasn't the most spectacular of cliffhangers (or bank tumblers if you will) but the rest of the story well and truly propelled us into next week. With great art and a unique storyline, this remains a solid read and ends us on a good note as we look ahead to next week. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "You'd better phone the police, boss! The only thing to do now is shoot the poor brute" 

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7/10

Best Story:  Nipper 

Best Line: "If Kerry's a sample of my past life, I can't wait to start remembering it again!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz:

Tiger 24th January 1976

1976 is shaping up to be a very good year indeed, with January already providing some excellent moments in the first three issues. While Skid Solo has stood head and shoulders above everything else, other stories are quietly finding their feet and although there are a couple of stories I would like to see come to the fore, overall the comic is strong. With a balanced mix of drama, action, and humour, I am reminded why I like this comic, and why I am still reading it fifty years later.

24th January 1976

Johnny Cougar

Johnny Cougar is about to face the Masked Maniac in the next round of the wrestling tournament, but first, there is the typical tomfoolery we have come to expect from Johnny Cougar in recent weeks. 

The Masked Maniac calls for Johnny Cougar to come to the ring and is surprised when Johnny jumps down on him from above.

The Maniac is surprised and angry, but Cougar isn't done with his foolishness, taking a photo of the Maniac that when developed shows not the Maniac but rather an ugly face from elsewhere.

With this, the Maniac has had enough and the fight begins. The Maniac is the more aggressive, but Cougar is powerful, and after a strong tussle Cougar has the first pinfall. 

This infuriates the Masked Maniac, and the next time Cougar attacks he is ready to fight fire with fire. He avoids Cougar's first strike and responds with one of his own which sends Cougar crashing to the floor for a knock-out win.

Despite some silliness early on, this was an enjoyable story. I am beginning to tire of the foolishness that precedes these bouts, although this issue was much better in that respect Whereas the prelude to the match against the Footballer took a couple of weeks, here the clowning by Cougar was a page. Perhaps a page too much for some people, but at least we got to the story a lot quicker. 

The in-ring action was what one would expect from a Johnny Cougar story, with heavy forearm smashes, and a pinch of acrobatics. I was pleased to see the Masked Maniac get the win, as not only does it show that Cougar is not infallible, but also sets us up well for the forthcoming matches.

It looks like the next two matches will follow the same form as the opening couple, especially as the opponents Johnny will be facing are named the Pirate and the Chinaman. As far as tomfoolery goes, it looks like we are well set for some more. This would normally detract from my enjoyment, but the art detailing the fights is superb, and with plenty of wrestling action to counterbalance the slow start, I am reasonably happy at the moment.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Best line: "He did it again! He made me look stupid! Grrrr...I'll still get my revenge!"

Roy Of The Rovers

Roy has been carried off the pitch after suffering from total exhaustion. The team step up in his absence and win the game four-two. 

Meanwhile, Roy wakes up in the hospital to find Penny at his bedside. His first concern is for the game, but Penny reassures him as she tells him the score. She also tells him that it's Saturday, meaning that he has been out of it for three whole days. 

Released from the hospital, Roy is taken home by Penny who makes him comfortable and brings him some tea. She tells him that he needs someone to look after him permanently, someone like herself, but before the conversation can go any further Roy leaps from his seat, suddenly realising the Melchester Rovers are playing in the third round of the F.A. Cup.

He rushes to the ground, but all his worries are for nothing. Jumbo Trudgeon has just scored his hat-trick and Rovers are winning four-nil. 

Coming off the pitch after winning six-nil, the team surround Roy, telling him that he needs to settle down a bit. Roy grins at this suggestion and tells the team he has been making a few plans of his own, and in fact, he has been persuaded by Penny to get engaged. 

While most of the team rejoices at this good news, Blackie looks worried. Roy doesn't know it yet, but one of his first jobs will be to find someone to replace Jumbo Trudgeon.

Mark this in your calendars, another historic issue as Roy is now engaged to Penny.  We have crossed the Rubicon, and there is no going back for Roy now as he is irreversibly aged by this milestone. While Penny was merely his girlfriend, Roy was forever young. With the prospect of marriage on the horizon, there is no doubt that he is growing up and firmly embracing adulthood. It has taken us a long time to get here, but once announced it cannot be put back in the box. 

Elsewhere we have several different stories bubbling away. Roy's exhaustion at being a player and manager of Rovers is ongoing, and now we have new drama in the shape of Jumbo Trudgeon leaving. We don't know the hows and whys yet, and this makes the following few issues all the more interesting. How Roy deals with this will be the main thrust of the next issue, and with several questions needing answers, it will be one of the first stories I turn to. No doubt Penny will have to take care of the wedding planning while Roy has all this on his plate!

Rating: 8.5/10

Best line: "It'll be the wedding of the year, eh, Blackie?"

Martin's Marvellous Mini 

It's the final leg of the New York to Moscow rally, and Tiny and Martin have the lead. Their sponsor Mr Twastrle isn't entirely happy with the situation, having promised the boys a million pounds if they win the race. 

They get off to a poor start in the final leg and find that two of their tyres have been punched by nails. While making a tyre change several cars go by and they must again fight for the lead.

This they do, but in a snowy mountain pass a helicopter appears, dropping an explosive into the snow. This creates an avalanche, and Tiny and Martin are buried in snow. 

Mr Twastle appears and helps dig them out. The other drivers all turn around and make a detour, but the lads are determined to carry on, and as Mr Twastle drives away they continue to soldier on. 

Mr Twastle is still worried bout the outcome, and in the final panel, we see him arrive at the airfield and run toward the helicopter, desperate to find another way to stop them.

A thrilling episode, and one that was fraught with danger. It was only when I read it a second time that I realised how much trouble Martin and Tiny were in when they were struck by the avalanche. It was the sight of Tiny handing Martin a shovel and talking about running out of air that I saw what peril they were in. Mr Twastle running toward the buried vehicle added to this drama, and was one of a number of great panels. 

The avalanche scene was the best part of the strip, but we also saw a large chunk of the story unfold with Mr Twastle's treachery shown both early and late in the strip. He was masked in the helicopter early on, but there was no doubt about who it was when we saw him again later in the strip. Although there was no mystery about his identity, that didn't detract from the drama of it all and we are well poised for a thrilling conclusion next week. It's taken us a while to get here, but the story is peaking at just the right time, and we should be in for a gripping finish to the New York to Moscow rally.   

Rating: 8.5/10

Best line: "I don't know...but we've got to start digging ourselves out, before we use up all the air in here!"

Skid Solo

Although Skid has regained consciousness, he is still in the hospital, bandaged from head to foot. Sandy and Tommy pay him a visit and Skid tells them he has been doing some thinking. There is no way he will be ready for the first of the European Grand Prix races, but if Tommy can do well enough in the sports car races and the Formula Junior event he can drive in the Grand Prix. 

Sandy takes Tommy down to the track and warns him that it's a dangerous sport. Tommy is still keen, and he begins practising in the sports car.

Sandy is happy with what he sees, and the pair fly out to Australia for Tommy's first big race event. Tommy's practice times are fast, and this carries over to race day as he speeds away from the other racers from the start. Tommy drives furiously, and after ten laps has a thirty-second lead. Sandy is unhappy with this and calls him into the pits, where he tells him he needs to learn to nurse the car and not drive it flat out all the time. However, after the next lap, Tommy breaks the track record by two seconds. 

That evening in the hospital, Skid is brought a telegram from Australia. The nurse reads it to him - Tommy has won the race with a new race record and a new lap record. Skid is overjoyed, and a loud shout of glee suggests he is well on his way to recovery. 

This has been on the horizon ever since Tommy first arrived on the scene and, although he still feels too young, the groundwork has well and truly been set out for this. Even so, he seems to be too good for the amount of experience he has, and it was only six months ago that he first got his licence. Despite that, I enjoyed seeing his star rise, and with Skid off the track for the foreseeable future, the next few months will be all about Tommy Carter. 

Rating: 8/10

Best line: "The young idiot!"

Billy's Boots

Billy's bike has been stolen while he's playing for the Merrydowners. Billy only has thoughts of his stolen bike, and his game suffers as a consequence, even after it had been reported stolen to a local policeman.

Billy remains upset about his bike for the rest of the week, and in his next school game, he continues to play badly. Things look up though as the policeman appears at the game, wheeling Billy's bike. This puts Billy in a new frame of mind, and as the strip ends Billy tells Jimmy now he is ready to have a real go at the opposition.

Billy's bike troubles blew away rather easily this week, and despite his concern about it, it all came to nothing as a policeman appeared with the bike. I am glad to see it resolved, yet I can't help but think that more could have been made of this incident. Perhaps it will, and next week we may well see some repercussions. However, a little more drama with Billy and the boys who took the bike would have helped give this week's story an edge that was sadly lacking. I didn't feel the tension of Billy playing with his thoughts on the bike, nor did his bad play seem to have any great implications for the team. The Merrydowners won despite Billy's play, and in the school game it is still early and there is plenty of time for Billy to perform some heroics. 

With this in mind, the best part of the story is the single panel when Billy tells his Gran that his bike has been stolen. The moment when she told Billy that she had brought a lock for it was touching, yet sad with the realization that the bike had already been taken. This was by no means a bad story, I rate it highly. However I wanted more from it, and it had the potential to be even better. 

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "It's been stolen, Gran. I told the police...they're looking for it. I - I couldn't help it...someone took it while I was playing..."

Tornado Jones 

A new adventure for Tornado this week, as we see him preparing to jump over two open-top cages at a safari park, one containing lions and one containing tigers.

Of course, the jump doesn't go as planned, and Jones clips the fence of the tiger's cage, pulling it down. The zoo keepers hasty prop the fence back up, but it is too late and one of the tigers has escaped.

The owner of the park, Maxie Leroy waves his finger under Jones' nose, telling him that it's his fault and the biggest, most serious tiger in the park has now escaped and is heading straight for the local village. 

This looks to be a step backwards for Tornado Jones, and the premise of him jumping over a cage of wild animals did not fill my heart with joy. Luckily the story ended on a high note, and the balance was restored as I saw the story was about to deliver more than it promised. We have a strong foil for Tornado Jones with Maxie Leroy looking and sounding fierce on the page. In some respects, he is even scarier than the tiger running loose. This is captured wonderfully in the penultimate panel as we see him giving Jones a telling-off and waving his finger under his nose. A picture is worth a thousand words, and the picture of Maxie here spoke volumes about his character. 

Although the human faces looked fantastic, the tiger did not, and this was a low point of the story. Just as the drama was reaching a peak we saw an unrealistic tiger, not once but twice in the final panels. I can't fault the artist, the rest of the story looked great, but in these two images the essence of the tiger wasn't conveyed, and he looked more like a soft toy escaping than a ferocious predator. Maybe next week it will look better, I hope so, for now, the story is well poised, and with a village under threat, there is plenty of scope for drama and action. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Best line: "Take a look at yourself, you dim-witted idiot! The biggest, most ferocious tiger in the park has just got loose!" 

Nipper 

Nipper is on the field for Blackport, but with no memory of who he is, he is completely lost. He is unaware of the rules of football, and despite trying to do his best he creates chaos. 

On the sideline, the couple that found Nipper lost beside the road explain to Andy Stewart that Nipper has no memory. Andy is shocked, but on the field Nipper shows that he still has his pluck and determination, scoring a goal through sheer willpower. This leaves Andy Stewart with a problem - should he substitute Nipper, or let him play on?

This week we are treading water. Nipper is on the field playing football, but the story doesn't advance far from where we already are. The story did give a good sense of how bad Nipper's memory loss is with him failing to remember the rules of football. He is struggling to play the game, yet on the other hand, his tough character is still intact, as demonstrated by his plucky goal. Next week we need to see him get seen too, or receive a headknock to recover. To see the game continue with Nipper having no memory would retread the same ground as this week, and at this stage, we really need to see the game accelerating. 

I did enjoy seeing Nipper's enthusiasm for scoring a goal, and this gave the story a lift. It was one of several moments that kept me involved in the story and made me rate it higher than perhaps it deserved. Next week is make or break for this story as far as I'm concerned, and it wouldn't hurt to see the hunt for Nipper's kidnappers thrown into the mix.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Very spectacular, lad! The only trouble is, you were about five metres off-side!"

Hot Shot Hamish

Hamish has taken up lodgings with a wealthy fan in a manor house, and in the first panels, we see that McMutton is already causing potential trouble. 

The next day at Princes Park Hamish and the team are introduced to Bertie McFrame, the famous photographer. He is there to take a photo of the team after the game. 

McFrame takes an instant dislike to McMutton, and this intensifies as the game progresses. Things reach boiling point after Hamish scores a goal and McFrame finds that McMutton has been chewing his cape. McFrame leaps to his feet, telling Mr McWhacker that he'll be getting a bill for this, while Mr Whacker tells him to sit down and be quiet.

The flamboyant dress of McFrame dominates my thoughts on the story, and he was a sight to behold on the sideline with his cape and garish dress. He was instantly dislikable, yet was the character who caught the eye throughout this week's issue.

Hamish took a backseat in this week's strip, and it was very much the McMutton and McFrame show. This brought the humour to the fore, and oddly enough it was even funnier without Hamish's involvement. Hot Shot Hamish is always a humorous strip, although it does keep its shape with the football framework it is built around. That is the case this week, and although there were plenty of laughs from McFrame and McMutton, it was hung on the frame of a tough football match showcasing the skills of Hamish. I am enjoying the fine balance we have here, and with the issue of Hamish's lodgings bubbling under this storyline of McFrame and McMutton, there should be laughs a plenty to be mined in future issues.    

Rating: 7/10

Best line: "Stalks...without flowers? Who would put those in a vase?"

Issue final ratings:

Overall: 7.5/10

Best Story:  Martin's Marvellous Mini 

Best Line: "...starting with Penny! She's sort of persuaded me that we ought to get engaged!"

Best Panel:

Roy's Sports Quiz: 

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: