A Request

Hello, All!

 

  In my ongoing quest to run into a brick wall as many times as possible...no. That's not right.  In my ongoing quest to find out more about obscure UK comic creators of the past I have needed my nose and teeth fixed several times.....oh, there, see -THAT is where I should have typed "running into brick walls" but the moment has gone!

  Anyway, being far more serious: I have looked and dug around the internet and written letters far and wide but still have not been able to find photographs of most of these creators.

 Gerald Swan and Denis M. Reader you might think had photos taken by someone -apparently, Denis Gifford thought it was "a bit impolite" to ask if he might take a photograph (oh, Denis!!) and Jock McCail and his brother, William A. Ward Harry Banger -you'd think family at least might have a page or online images. Nothing.

 Now I know that there are quite a few knowledgeable comickers out there with all sorts of journals, books, etc.  So, my big request is this: if you have any photographs of these people or others who worked for Swan -even if only "cartoon portraits" could you please get in touch or pass the word around?

 My sincere THANKS to anyone who can help!

Cheers

Terry

The Owl - Master Of The Night!

Always nice to get a mention on Germany's blogging supremo Subzero's Tales From The Kryptonian.  This time as an addition to his interesting blog on The Owl.

Now if you know your Golden, Silver and Bronze Ages comics you might be asking "Which Owl?"  If you are not then get over to that blog right now!


http://talesfromthekryptonian.blogspot.de/2015/02/silver-age-sunday-owl-revisited.html

The Owl cover you'll see there is this one:

 

 

But, originally it was not title The Owl -Master Of The Night but The Ultimate Collection -The Owl nd this was the cover:

"The Ultimate Collection" was a string of books featuring various genres/characters.  But there was a snag.  Some of the later material was claimed to be held under copyright by two different companies.  The book was withdrawn and I began contacting the companies involved.

Both had absolutely no idea what the hell I was talking about.  Basically it was all coming from another "internet comic historian" who had NOT researched the subject but pronounced from on high.

 

A bit like idiots stirring trouble with IPC Media.  You  then talk to the bosses at the company and it's "no problem"

 

Sadly, like most of these books -they are classed as "A Fan Project" because it's doubtful many people will be interested unless a true fan.  As it happens I've never sold a copy of this after all these years!

 

So, go read Subzero's blog.  But remember there are a good few "The Owls" out there.  And if you want to buy a copy:

 

 

 A4 Comic Album

Black & White

80 pages -yes:80 pages for just £8.00!!

Price: £8.00

Ships in 3–5 business days

 http://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/the-owl-master-of-the-night/paperback/product-16439316.html

 

A Fan Project. The Owl. Created by Frank Thomas in 1940 for Crackajack Funnies:this book contains three Golden Age stories including the rare first appearance of Owl Girl plus the rare 1967 Owl Man and Owl Girl in their own comic. Black and white, text features and more.

 

Return of the Vlog

Kotar & Sabuta....A Quiet Night In. By Ben R. Dilworth

Kotar & Sabuta the Third Level Sorcerors have been with me since....1969!  Wow.  Anyway, here is one of those "quiet days at home" adventures by the inimitable Ben R. Dilwrth!

The Blue Lady: Origins

Ahh , The Blue Lady. First time I saw this character I fell in love!  If they'd made films out of comics back then well it would be Myrna Loy playing Lucille Martin.  "Who is 'Myrna Loy'. Gramps?"

Damn you. kiddies! THIS is Myrna Loy!

 sigh.

Anyway, The Blue Lady made her first appearance in Amazing Man Comics #24, October 1941) and the script/art was all the work of Frank Frollo -as was typical back then.  There were three stories and her last appearance was in Amazing Man Comics #26 (the strips from 25 and 26 are in the Centaur Collection book).

But here is the origin of....The Blue Lady!

The Death Of Professor Thaddeus Twatt

Even after a few years these scenes (from what was meant to be a jolly eccentric British inventor series) get me.  I'm old is my excuse.  Before all of this happened/happens Thaddeus will be seen in 1942 Blitzed Bristol hunting a.....no. Won't tell!

 Basically, when I drew this I wanted to wind everything up and leave no loose ends as I didn't think I was going to last long -it shows in the work and it's why Return was so short. Concluded. No dead ends. Anyway, enjoy!

Here for Mr Stransky:

A Sneak Peek At A Cover That Never Was....kinda...

This is the illo on which the first, 132 pager, Return of the Gods cover was based.  It was originally intended for the A5 (Digest) Worlds Within Words trilogy which became....The Dr Morg Trilogy!

It's all connected, you know!