Summet or other

I had to buy The Guardian and the Observer this week because they had the best free gift since the Mails 80s CDs promotion, namely... FREE COMICS!!!!!



The comics and the eras chosen were all kind of my generation or the one before, the earliest being Tammy from 1971, when I was born, to Dandy in 1984, a bit after my first comics period, when I was 13.

It started last Saturday with Jackie, which my sister used to read, when I was reading Buster or Whizzer & Chips every week. The issue they chose was from 1975 (all these "facts" are from memory so apologies if I get any wrong - it's only a blog innit ) which was before her era which would be around 81/82 I think. Not really what I'd call a comic either but interesting stuff nonetheless.

And then, the biggie, for me, was in the following days Observer. Beano no. 2000 from 1980 (Beano to my left as I type so I know this "fact", at least, is correct! )



Now the Beano was the first comic I used to get weekly, and it used to be delivered through my letterbox wrapped in the Manchester Evening News, and I remember I used to wait with anticipation on the stairs for it after school every "whatever day it was." And this is the edition I remember more than any other, because the 2000 years celebration inside and the first cover being printed on the back page really captured my imagination.

Receiving it again, in a really good quality facsimilie (staples rather than glue being the only noticeable difference) reveals that every single story also featured a 2000 issues angle and was a real wonderful celebration.

I also bought the most recent Beano no. 3500 this week which makes it the longest numbered weekly comic (overtaking Dandy since it became Xtreme and fortnightly.) The only pages mentioning this is one picture of Dennis on the front saying "yay, no. 3500" and one page showing the changes in Dennis over the years. Shame they don't celebrate landmark issues in the same way these days as everything has to be new and fresh. But when I was nine issue no. 2000 really captured my imagination so surely there must be nine year olds around today who could have their imaginations captured by issue no. 3500 in the same way. Shame!



The rest of the week quickly - Roy of the Rovers being shot, Bunty Summer Special, Dandy, Tammy and Whizzer & Chips.

Tammy was the biggest revelation as it was so unremittingly bleak. Girls being locked up and beaten by various horrible patritian bastards. Fascinating stuff! I missed out not reading girls comics!

All of this freebie-ness and articles surrounding them is further proof of the growing popularity and respect given to the british comics of old.

When I started collecting my annuals it was hard to find any information on British comics other than the brilliant comicsuk website. Now there is a wealth of information out there and loads of quality books and stuff. I guess my generation (really, the last generation who devoured comics above all other media) have come of age. Unfortunately this coming of age, has meant that there are no affordable Beano and Dandy annuals from the 50s and 60s anymore. I can't believe I got a Dandy from 1957 for £1 now! Those days are gone! But the greater popularity and respect is more important than my Ebay trifles, and considering my age I should be thankful I've got as many 60s and 70s annuals as I have, especially as 70s annuals are rising in price now!

By the way, the reason I no longer had that Beano no. 2000 that meant so much to me was, fool that I am, in 1982, when I left primary school, I gave *ALL*, that's right *ALL* my comics to my school for their comics box. Ah well! The folly of youth! At least I've got it back now!