The Monitors asked what comics you read as a child.
Amongst the replies the following witty and enlightening comments were made.
Names have been removed to save the correspondents Blushes! Thank you for the fantastic response - be sure to answer this months question
Happy New Year! My favourite comic was 'Diana for Girls' and my
husband teases me because I still have an annual from the 1970's!
Sad or what.
Thanks for your email re childhood reading. Of course comics were a
big part of any schoolboy's life. My favourite read was The Wizard
In our household we would wait each morning for two of our weekly comics The Dandy and The Beano
who ever got there first got to read it. I suppose it was a good way to get us up, age 6 and
10 yrs. However when I took out papers for the Roe family at Whitegate Drive,( best wishes Kath
and Mike) I got to read all the comics and other publications , there is at least one benefit
to being a paperboy.
To all readers please look at the size of your letter box and don`t complain if your Sunday
papers come in little bits.
Happy 2003! In reply to your rather strange request, my favourite comic read
as a kid was "Twinkle", progressing to "Bunty" and closely followed by
"Jackie". Hope this helps in your research! Keep up the good work.
Re: Comics in the thirties and forties. After Chick's Own (for 5-6 year old) I was extremely
disappointed that there didn't seem to be any comics written for girls at junior schools.
Girls' Crystal was for the 11-up generation, but was completely incomprehensible to
working-class children as all the stories were about girls' boarding schools. However, the
benefit was that I didn't like or understand these comics and joined the library instead.
Hello monitor
As primary school children, I read MANDY and my brother had TV21.
At Collegiate, I bought POPSWAP and once won a competition - the prize a MARTI KRISTIAN
crying in the rain umbrella! I also used to buy DISCO 45 for all the songwords.
Happy new year.
In answer to your question, I was only allowed one comic by my parents. It was The
Hornet and the reason I was first attracted to it was that the early editions
included wall pictures of First Division football teams, which soon adorned the
walls of the bedroom shared by my brother and myself.
The only other comics I was allowed to read were physics text books.
By the way, Bernard Briggs 'the no-goal goalie' was brilliant. It'll be a long time
before his record of going through an entire season without conceding a goal will
be matched.
Twinkle!! You know. Nurse Nancy and all that.
In answer to the question, I used to read "Jackie"...
a bit tamer than the modern day versions!!
My favourite magazine was Fab 208, music
and pop gossip, before that I just read typical comics like Judy and Bunty
and Beano.
Oh and yes, I remember seeing Donny Osmond in Fab 208 as a centrefold and his
measurements were 28-28-28......was this a mis -print???
Girls' Crystal (typical schoolstories) and then Girl - it was a high spot of the week when I got the magazine !! I am talking about the 1950's !
I used to cut out the poster page from Girl - usually fluffy pets, royals, ballet or scenic spots - quite a change from today's style.
The Beezer! I was ginger too!
If my memory serves me, my favorite comic (after I'd outgrown the Beano) was the Eagle. I
remember my route home would take me past a confectionery where I would buy a couple of
sticky buns to munch on while walking up the street, past the motorcycle dealer with his
array of shiny Norton's, through the bus station and into the train station with it's smell of
steam and hot oil and buy my latest edition of the Eagle and a copy of The Motor Cycle or
Motorcycling to read on the tram (which still traveled along Dickson Road) to take me home to
my stop at Little Bispham. Nobody dared to read a comic in class, it wasn't worth the
inevitable rap on the knuckles.
Happy new year.
Whizzer & Chips ... but being a paperboy I got to read
all the comics en route ;)
I recall as a child having vivid dreams after reading a serial in the first dozen editions of the SPARKY in
1965. Strangley enough I had the same dreams a few months ago nearly 40 years later. I intend to try and buy
the relevant editions from dealers during 2003 - unless any Meliora Member has any copies? e-mail monitor if this is case
Happy New Year
If my memory serves me right I was allowed to read a comic but we would have had to share it
between four sisters.
The comic which I most remember was BUNTY but I also remember later progressing to JACKIE!!
Thankyou for your email in response to which I can proudly announce that my favourite comic was
the Wizard, and that for some time after I left school and home to follow a career in
industry, my father continued to have it delivered to read himself !!
A Very Happy New Year
My favourite comic was the Beano. However at school I always managed to get
hold of a "Jackie" from one of the girls and always went straight to the
problem page. Reading this girls comic was useful in trying to find out what
made girls tick and was instrumental in getting dates!
Knowdays I read the
wifes Cosmopolitan and yet still don't know what makes women tick!
I read "Bunty" regularly until the age of 13 or so, when I graduated to "Jackie" magazine, and
I still remember it fondly. Compared to today's comics, "Jackie" was sooo innocent; Cathy
and Claire's problem page would seem like it was from another planet to today's girls! I
remember a series called something like "47B Stratford Mansions" about a group of friends
moving to their first flatshare in London; it all seemed very glamourous - and affordable!
I used to buy "Lookin" but then became a fan of "Smash Hits" ( I still have
the first editions) also "Disco 45" as these had all the words to the
latest hits.
Happy New Year - I read School Friend - well I think that is what it was called. There was
a glossier magazine that I thought would be more fun but didn't get so I am assuming that that
one was more pricey.
Thanks for all the work you do on this site.
Favourite by a long way was "Jackie", and spent all week looking forward to getting it (and the
free gift which often came with it - usually a brooch, or bit of tatty jewellery). Marvellous.
Thank you for your email re comics read as a child. I started on The Beano and The Dandy,
progressed via The Eagle on to Hotspur and Wizard. In my youth, (was it so long ago), boys, and
indeed girls, read 'comics' well into their teen years. There was no move towards adult-type
content such as pervades magazines read by children/teenagers today. Our comics reflected a
healthy mix of bravado and heroism with distinct gender differentiation which allowed for
'gentlemanly behaviour' to be the norm rather than the exception. They (comics) may be
perceived as 'non-pc' in today's parlance, but we were non the worse as people for having read
them.
Of course,TV and all the attendant technologies were not available to us, so reading was a
vital form of entertainment/source of information.
I hope these few thoughts are of some use.
I used to read the ROVER & the HOTSPUR, the serial story that I remember most clearly was
"Alf Tupper, the tough of the track", this sportsman lived in a junk yard and lived on chips,
the episode I remember most vividly had 'Alf' running the length of Westminster Bridge whilst
Big Ben struck twelve.
My favourite comic was Valiant. I particularly liked the stories about Cap'n Hurricane and his
trusty batman, Maggot Malone ... quite sad really !!!
Beyond doubt my favourite light reading was the Detective Comics (DC) of Americano rigin -
Superman, Batman, et al. - that I used to buy for ninepence or so (as I recall) from a stall in
Abingdon Street Market. My brother Michael shared this addiction, though another in the
family (who sadly had not the benefit of a BGS education (though now Professes Chemistry
at Aberdeen University)) defected to Marvel Comics - the second-rate Spiderman and suchlike.
As a youngster, my favourite comics were Tiger & Jag, The Beano and the occasional Commando
comic book.
As an adolescent and to this day, I liked The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers authored by the
late, great Gilbert Shelton and in a similar American underground vein, Zap comics.
I was an avid reader of Viz for a time in my late twenties and early thirties, but it failed
to hold my interest after that
As a junior the comic I read mostly was called 'Topper.' Don't remember much about it now.
Also 'TV21' (I think it was called) because it had stories about Thunderbirds. I later
graduated onto such mags as 'Score' (It was a football mag, not how to successfully pull members
of the opposiite sex - hey I was only a kid!!)
That’s a long time ago!! Comics were certainly regarded with some suspicion by our parents
even though uncle was a newsagent!! The ‘Children’s Newspaper’ was delivered regularly and
read with interest (I was/am an avid reader) but hardly enthusiasm. ‘School Friend’ was
allowed and was much more fun. Keep up the good work. Every good wish for 2003.
All reading was encouraged in my home, including comics. I got to read Dandy, Beano and the
Eagle, second hand from my brother. On my own account I had School Friend, Girls Crystal,
and occasionally as a treat Girl, but that was a glossy and rather more expensive. I am sure
that in the fifties most comics came out fortnightly,
there did not seem to be the competitive urge (as now) to make children spend their money.
ah what a walk down memory lane, especially since I've been living in Italy
for over 20 years and this was one thing I had totally forgotten. Anyway,
in reply to your question I think my favourite comic when I was a child has
to be Beano!
I look forward to seeing what all this means!
Well my favourite comics in my younger days included Tammy, Bunty, Mandy, Beezer and Topper.
Later I read Jackie and Smash Hits. Incidentally, I recently picked up a copy of a Mandy annual
from a jumble sale and it was one I was given at christmas back in the 70's. I couldn't believe
the crap on the inside cover pages - careers for girls it was called. Apparently we girls
should have all aspired to be secretaries or dental assistants, vetinary assistants - anything
as long as it provided a supporting role for you guys - who were of course always portrayed as
the doctors, vets and pilots!! I look at the comics my daughter reads now and thankfully girl
power is more prevalent. I don't see a lot of change in boys comics though, the one's my boys
have just seem to be full of people killing each other, much as they always were, only now they
have bigger and more spectacular weapons and the enemy has got an awful lot uglier.
I remember as I got into my teens it was 'in' to read NME and the more obscure bands you could
name the better you were. Even if you didn't read it you carried it around to look good
(making it look very dogeared and well read)
.
My biggest complaint about comics today (and those who are parents will know this) is the
price, some of which are more expensive than books. My kids (two 8 year olds and a 10 year old)
don't seem to stick with one comic either, they go for the one with the best free gift
(free is a joke eh!). They don't know the excitement of waiting for next weeks comic to
catch up on the latest adventures or what happens next to our brave heroine..... (oh yeah
I remember, she faints, gets rescued by Mr Right and becomes a secretary..).
The Victor was my favourite - perhaps thats one of the reasons I joined HM Forces
Happy New Year to you and thank you for your rather mysterious message. I was not allowed
comics as a child but had lots of books. I did sometimes spend my pocket money on Jackie
magazine however.
Like most kids, I guess, my favourite comics were The Dandy and The Beano, although later my
allegiances changed to Whizzer & Chips !!.
Favourite comics were Batman, any of the Superman, supergirl, superboy ones, and the Archie ones.
Parents didn't stop me reading them; they bought them and read them first!!
My favourite comic was the Beano, closely followed by the Dandy. Not only did I read the Beano
during my school years, but when I went to work at Lancaster Uni some years later, it was also
the favourite of my fellow technicians, and we used to buy it every week out of the coffee
club funds.
Even Prof Fairbairn, head of physics, used to come down from his office to read it!
I used to read 'Bunty' comic - and I still have my Bunty annuals!
In my very early years, in the Thirties, I would devour "Film Fun". Later, in Grammar School
time, and the early forties (wartime) it was Hotspur, Wizard and Adventure......in that order.
I'm not sure I would class these as "Comics' though. Oh yes, a very well-read student.
Why are you doing this????
My favourite comic was Lois Lane: Superman’s girlfriend. My parents took absolutely zero
interest in anything that I read so it was a total free choice. I suspect a very typical choice
for a young then teenage girl!
Yes my parents did not like me reading them but I enjoyed the Dandy and the
Beano do you remember Look-in magazine aimed at both boys and girls?
The only comic I remember reading, and which I loved, was 'School Friend' but I only remember
reading it at primary school. My favourite was 'Terry Brent, Detective' as his birthday was
the same day as mine!
My brothers had to read the Children's Newspaper which I thought was very boring as it had no
pictures in it, but my parents seemed to think it was educational.
when younger Beano and Dandy ..3d each, one on a Thursday and one on a Tuesday!!!
Being more girlie, it was Princess, Bunty and Judy.
Teenage years it was one with another girls name but for the life of me I cannot remember, (ed JACKIE) except that it had a good
problem page!!! It also had good pin up posters and my bedroom was covered with Donny Osmond and
David Cassidy and a few Michael Jackson and David Essex.
I'm sure that others will remember the name of this as it was THE only one we all read that was
any good!!! It is going to bug me until I remember, so if I do I will follow up on this!!
My parents, my dad especially, said I could read ANYTHING as opposed to nothing, and if I
learnt one word that I never knew before then it had been worthwhile. Guess that's why I always
have my nose in a book now!
Fave comic was a close choice between the Rover (became the Rover & Wizzard circa 1970)
and the Eagle (became Lion & Eagle circa 1972). I'd go for the Rover, tho' it was a mag without
any pics, & so you did have to be able to read (toffs comic).
I've still got the last ever Eagle comic, original but creased.
Probably the Beano, followed by Dandy, Topper and Beezer. So many, only because my parents
owned a Newsagent's Shop on Whitegate Drive for 30 years (so you read them and put them back
in the rack!!)
I'm afraid it was 'World of Wonder' - I think that was the name- as a swot I always liked
factual things. In 6th form I switched to Sounds and NME - as my abiding love affair with
music was jump-started by the thrill of punk rock.
I used to read Jackie magazine and was not allowed to listen to Radio Luxembourg !! I
used to pretend that we had BBC2 at home so i could join in conversations about Monty Python,
sad eh!!
My parents were very restrictive about what comics I could and could not have at home. I was
allowed to purchase a comic occasionally but of course I borrowed and read more than I was
permitted to. I guess on reflection I preferred the Hotspur or similar because there was more
reading than the Film Fun type. My parents held the opinion that some comics had a propensity
toward violence or traits that they did not desire their child to have. Regardless I developed
all those traits they did not want me to have successfully, with only a limited access to comics.
As a very young child I used to pinch my great uncle's comics - he had learning difficulties
and had the Beano and Dandy delivered each week - loved the Christmas and Summer Specials. As
I got older I used to get 'Bunty' - never ever progressed to the sophisyication of Jackie -
the problem pages were always a real eye-opener - but loved the stories in Bunty and the cut
out fashion dolls on the back!,p>
The only comic my mum and dad thought was worth the money was 'Look and Learn' so that one
was always bougt - whether I wanted it or not!!!
My favourite was Tiger way back in the late 60's and 70's, but as my Father had a newsagent
I managed to read most of them :-)
My favourite comic as a child was COR! Don't konw when it stopped being published but I haven't
seen it for years. It was probably the late 60s or early 70s when I read it. Can't remember
much about it now apart from the fact it made me laugh.
Before meeting up for the coach at Raike's Parade to take us to away rugby matches, I would go
to the nearby newsagent and buy a copy of "Whoopee" (definitely a kids comic and not from the
top shelf).
I still have every copy in a cardboard box in the loft !
I guess the comic I read most as a kid was Eagle. For much of the time my Dad ran a paper shop
so I read every comic under the sun - especially Tiger - wasn't this where Roy of the Rovers
started? This was a LONG time ago.
In later years I read the comics with stories in like Adventure, Hotspur
I know you asked for one comic but I enjoyed everyone I read over the years.
Twinkle, Disco 45, Jackie and there was one comic of which I can't remember the name but one
story was about a little girl called Cherry who owned a chimpanzee and the stories were always
funny. I always used to plague my parents life for a chimp of my own!!!
I enjoyed reading School Friend and Girl as did my sister Carole. My brother read the Eagle. It
was frowned upon to read such comics as Beano and Dandy and these were not bought for us.
However my cousins in Yorkshire had no such restrictions and when we visited them we read all
those comics which they had saved.
I used to read Topper, Dandy, Eagle and of course the obligatory Beano
as you can tell, I have had a well rounded education!
Best Wishes in 2003
It all sounds rather sad now, but then I read Jackie, Finding Out and I can remember huge
amounts from this, including both pictures and text ( a friend in the town I currently live
had subscribed to this and still has all the copies - good to see them again) and a teenage
newspaper in tabloid format which I cannot remember the name of. At Junior School I think it
was Diana and previously Judy.
My sister had Bunty and at primary level it was Jack and Jill and Playhour.
I recall reading something called "The Children's Newspaper" and winning
pens etc. by entering the competitions. Others included Dandy, Beano and
then the Eagle (Dan Dare etc.) was another at later stages. I also remember
a comic which I think was called "The Rover" and particularly a character
called Alf Tupper - "the Tough of the Track" - who was a role model for me
!!. He would do a full day's work as a welder, mechanic or something
similar, finish work, enjoy a meal of fish and chips and 5 minutes later
change out of his overalls and go on to win a mile race against
international opposition.
There was also the odd dip into Superman, Captain Marvel, Batman and others
but they tended to be occasional rather than regular reading.
Hello there
This interactive idea sounds interesting. My early early comic was (dare I
say it?) Twinkle. I then progressed to the hard stuff called Jackie and
finally ended up buying any comic that might remotely contain Donny Osmond
or the Bay City Rollers.Is there some psychologist out there who can tell
me where I went wrong?
My favourite kids' comics were the Eagle; and a rather more short-lived one called
The Rocket ( I think it was Douglas Bader who edited and/or managed it)
Best comic was Hotspur, and I also liked Charlie Buchan's Football monthly, Victor (?) and
that's a big enough display of my old age for now!
Interestingly enough, my parents encouraged me (as I have since done with my own children) to
read anything and everything (even comics) so that my reading improved. That was courtesy of
John Ward, the then headmaster at Claremont primary school and I am to be eternally thankful for
him for that.
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