List of Beezer comic strips

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The Beezer was a long-running weekly British comic book, which was the home to 120 different comic strips over the years. First printed in 1956, it merged with the Cracker and Plug comic strips in 1976 and 1979 respectively. It was, then, renamed into The Beezer and Topper on merging with The Topper in 1990. However, publication ceased in 1993 eventually. After its closure, some of its characters appeared in The Beano and The Dandy.

Contents

The following is a list of Beezer comic strips, organized by year of release date and in chronological order : [1]

1956

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Ginger Dudley Watkins, Bob McGrath 1990The original cover star of the comic. It was on the cover until 1961 before being replaced by Pop, Dick and Harry, it regained the cover spot in 1964 and remained there until 1987.
Bushwhacker Bill Holroyd, Terry Patrick 1964AdventureFour separate series, last of which was named Spacewhacker. The strip also appeared in Buddy
Mick on the Moon Ken Hunter 1957Adventure
Lone Wolfe Ron Smith 1958Adventure
Pop, Dick and Harry Tom Bannister, Peter Moonie, Brian Walker 1990Cover star from 1961 to 1964. Continued in the Beezer and Topper
Calamity Jane Hugh Morren 1960
Nosey Parker Allan Morley 1956The character was originally featured in The Rover in 1925. It also featured in The Sunday Post and Sparky .
Nero and Zero Allan Morley1956The character was originally featured in The Wizard in 1930. It also featured in The Sunday Post and Buzz .
The Hillys and the Billies George Martin, Henry Davies 1990Three separate series which were reprinted as Ruffies and Tuffies in The Victor . This strip was surprisingly violent.
Big EdHugh Morren1956
Charlie Chick Bill Ritchie 1956
Shorty Brian White 1956
Smart AliceGeorge Martin1956
The Banana Bunch Leo Baxendale, Bill Hill, Robert Nixon, Barrie Appleby 1990Continued in the Beezer and Topper and was reprinted in Dandy Xtreme in 2004 and 2010.
Mumbo and JumboUnknown/George Drysdale 1956
The Kings of Castaway Island James Walker 1969AdventureFour separate series, in which the final series was a reprint.
Baby Crockett Bill Ritchie1990Continued in the Beezer and Topper. It also appeared in Bimbo and Little Star .

1957

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Yellow Eye, The Jungle Kitten Michael Darling 1957Adventure
Bucko's Flying Bedstead Ron Forbes 1957Adventure
Hornet Wilson and his Educated InsectsKen Hunter1958Adventure

1958

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Cap'n HandLeo Baxendale, David Law, George Drysdale, Michael Barratt 1960
The Blood Brothers of the Spanish MainRon Smith1958Adventure
Buffalo Boy Victor Peon 1959Adventure
Caesar William Timym 1959Appeared in the Sunday Graphic
Colonel Blink Tom Bannister, George Martin1990Spinoff strip Blinky appeared in the Beezer and Topper
Oliver's TravelsGeorge Martin1959

1959

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The SurvivorsKen Hunter1959Adventure
The Showboat Circus Paddy Brennan, David Sutherland 1970AdventureThree separate series, in which the last series was a reprint.
Merry Hood and his Robbin MenGeorge Martin1960
Blind JumboJames Walker1960Adventure
Miguel the MatadorBob McGrath1960Also appeared in Valiant
Wooly WestBill Ritchie1960
The Black Sapper Jack Glass 1961AdventureOriginally appeared in The Rover in 1929 as a prose story about a thief who stole the Crown Jewels with his tunnelling machine called the Earthworm

1960

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The Badd Lads Malcolm Judge, John Dallas, Mervyn Johnston, John Geering 1990Appeared in the Beezer and Topper
The Jellymen Ken Hunter1984AdventureFive separate series, in which the fourth series was a reprint.
My Pal WonderwingTerry Patrick1960Adventure
Hank the Yank1960Reprint from USA

1961

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The Log of the S.S. Mary Anne Albert Holroyd/Michael Darling 1962Adventure
The Mob Next DoorBill Hill1967

1962

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The Numskulls Malcolm Judge, Tom Lavery, Jimmy Glen, Steve Bright 1990Appeared in the Beezer and Topper. Appeared in The Beano after the Beezer and Topper closed.
Cicero's Cat Al Smith 1963
Mutt and Jeff Al Smith1963Originally featured in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1907
The GobblesLeo Baxendale1964A group of vultures always on the lookout for food, which is similar to The Three Bears .

1963

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The Iron EatersKen Hunter, Sandy Calder 1974AdventureTwo separate series about sponges from space that ate iron, causing all kinds of problems

1964

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Tommy Taylor's ToyboxLeo Baxendale, Bill Hill, John Geering1984AdventureTwo separate series released in 1964 and 1981 respectively.
Dreamy DickUnknown1964
Taffy the Tearaway Terrier James Walker 1964Adventure
Copy CatBob McGrath1964
The Fighting FinlaysRon Smith1964Adventure
The Phantom FlyerTerry Patrick1964Adventure
The Space KidsRon Smith1977AdventureTwo separate series, in which the second one was a reprint.
Little Mo Bob McGrath1990Appeared in the Beezer and Topper
Young Sid the Copper's KidGeorge Martin1989
My Pal RopeyAlbert Holroyd1987AdventureTwo separate series released in 1964 and 1986 respectively

1965

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The Scarlet SpiderKen Hunter1966Adventure

1966

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Uncle Dan the Medicine ManBill Holroyd/Albert Holroyd1987AdventureTwo separate series, in which the second one was a reprint. It was also reprinted in Buzz.
Space PatrolTerry Patrick1967AdventureBased on the 1962 television series of the same name

1967

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Mr FlippyKen Hunter1969AdventureThere are two separate series, in which the second one was a reprint.
Smiffy Bill Ritchie1988Unrelated to the character from The Bash Street Kids. This Smiffy was a boy who liked getting dirty
Roly PolyBill Hill1969
Wrinkle and TwinkleBill Hill1986There are two series, in which the second one was a reprint in 1986.
Dee for DangerRon Smith1967Adventure

1969

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
General JimKen Hunter1982AdventureThere are two series, in which the second one was a reprint in 1981.
Black BunBill Hill1975
Hocus PocusAlbert Holroyd1970Adventure
Dicky BurdBill Ritchie1978

1970

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Tommy's Tick-Tock TwinAlbert Holroyd1971Adventure
Mighty MikKen Hunter1985AdventureThere are two series, in which the second one was a reprint in 1985.

1971

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Barney's Barmy ArmyKen Hunter1985AdventureThere are two series, in which the second one was a reprint in 1985.
Willie Wink the Missing LinkAlbert Holroyd1972
The Gobblers Watson Kennedy 1972Adventure

1972

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The BarkersWatson Kennedy1974
Hairy Dan - Football FanBill Ritchie1981

1974

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
March of the Giants Sandy Calder 1975Adventure
FiddlesticksKen Hunter1975
Dan McGlueMalcolm Judge1974
BlubbaWatson Kennedy1976Adventure

1975

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Krunch, the Monster from the Deep Frank McDiarmid 1976Adventure
Joey's ArkPaddy Brennan1976Adventure
Pedro, the Pesky ParrotBill Hill1976

1976

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Jest a MinuteBill Hill/Ken H. Harrison 1979Originally in Cracker
Billy the Kid Gordon Bell 1979Originally in Cracker
Joe SoapJohn Dallas1979Originally in Cracker, the series later appeared in a further two issues in 1987.
Little Orror David Easington 1979Originally in Cracker
Young Foo, the Kung Fu Kid Brian Platt 1979Originally in Cracker
Scrapper Tom Lavery/Bill Hill, Steve Bright/Gordon Bell1988Originally in Cracker
Iron HandPaddy Brennan1979AdventureOriginally in Cracker

1978

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Mr. Licko and his LollipopsKen Hunter1981Adventure

1979

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Plug Vic Neill/David Gudgeon 1986Originally in Plug
Hugh's ZooGordon Bell1986Originally in Plug
First AdaGordon Bell1981Originally in Plug
EcBagoomAlbert Holroyd1981Originally in Plug
Antchester UnitedJohn Geering1981Originally in Plug

1981

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Saucy SueJohn Dallas1987
Hungry HossBill Ritchie1987
The MunchersGordon Bell1986

1983

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Grotty Gables, the Funniest Hotel in TownAlbert Holroyd1984

1984

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
The Wallies of Winkle StreetDavid Gudgeon1987
Beefy Dan, the Fast Food ManJohn Geering1986

1986

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Tuff and TinyGordon Bell1989
Paw, Maw and PorkyJohn Geering1989Title was changed to Porky in 1988

1987

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
True BritRobert Nixon1988Was the comic's cover star
Twitt HallJohn Geering1988
Photo FunniesGordon Bell1988
Clockwise CartoonsGordon Bell/George Martin1990

1988

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Count SpatulaGordon Bell1988
Club 5Barrie Appleby1990Beezer's own version of The Dandy's Cuddles and Dimples
The Beezers Bob Dewar 1989
PamBill Ritchie1989
HeadHamster Glynn Clark 1989
Night 'n' GaleHenry Davies1989
The Beezer BabiesBob Dewar1990

1989

Strip TitleArtist(s)End DateGenreNote(s)
Adrian the Barbarian Sid Burgon 1990Was the comic's cover star. Continued in the Beezer and Topper, and was reprinted as Olaff the Madlander in The Beano
Geezer Robert Nixon1990Continued in the Beezer and Topper, and similar to The Beano's Roger the Dodger
Phoot and Mouse Tom Paterson 1990
Man SaturdayGordon Bell1989
ScratcherBill Ritchie1990Spin-off featuring cat from the Pam strip. It appeared in the Beezer and Topper.
StingBob Dewar1990Continuation of the Beezers, and later continued in the Beezer and Topper
Adrian's FablesRobert Nixon1990It featured Adrian in Adrian the Barbarian
WabitsGordon Bell1990Continued in the Beezer and Topper.

See also

Related Research Articles

The Beezer was a British comic that ran from 21 January 1956 to 21 August 1993, published by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. Comic strips in The Beezer were a mix of irreverence, slapstick, and adventure; notable creators included Leo Baxendale, Gordon Bell, Paddy Brennan, David Law, Tom Paterson, Bill Ritchie, Dudley D. Watkins, Malcolm Judge, and John Geering.

<i>The Topper</i> (comics) Former British comic book

The Topper was a UK comic published by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd that ran from 7 February 1953 to 15 September 1990, when it merged with The Beezer.

<i>The Dandy</i> Scottish childrens comic

The Dandy was a Scottish children's comic magazine published by the Dundee based publisher DC Thomson. The first issue was printed in December 1937, making it the world's third-longest running comic, after Il Giornalino and Detective Comics. From August 2007 until October 2010, it was rebranded as Dandy Xtreme.

<i>Tricky Dicky</i> (Topper) British comic strip

Tricky Dicky is a British comic strip which debuted in the magazine Topper in December 1976 and was drawn by John Dallas. From 1979 to 1986 he was the cover star of the comic, succeeding Danny's Tranny and preceding Beryl the Peril. The strip survived the merger with the Beezer in 1990 and continued in The combined Beezer and Topper comic til it ended in 1993. The character later reappeared in The Beano.

<i>The Numskulls</i> Comic strip series published by DC Thomson

The Numskulls is a comic strip in The Beano, and previously in The Beezer and The Dandy – UK comics owned by D.C Thomson. The strip is about a team of tiny human-like technicians who live inside the heads of various people, running and maintaining their bodies and minds. It first appeared in The Beezer from 1962 until 1979, drawn by Malcolm Judge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beryl the Peril</span> British comic strip character

Beryl the Peril is a fictional character created by David Law, the creator of Dennis the Menace, for issue 1 of The Topper comic published by DC Thomson & Co. Limited. Like Dennis, she had black and red apparel, and devilishly tormented her parents and other members of her community. Despite not having quite as many appearances as other DC Thomson characters such as Dennis the Menace or Desperate Dan, Beryl is still considered one of the classic characters which define the popularity of British comics.

Plug was a British comic magazine that ran for 75 issues from 24 September 1977 until 24 February 1979, when it merged with The Beezer. It was edited by Ian Gray.

Gordon Bell was a British cartoonist, best known for humorous strips for D. C. Thomson's weekly comics, including "Pup Parade" in The Beano and "Spoofer McGraw" in Sparky.

Nick Brennan is a British cartoonist who works mainly for D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. He started drawing for the company in 1993, drawing a revival of Peter Piper from The Dandy, revived from The Magic Comic, but with a departure from Watkins' creation, with Peter instead sporting an Elvis-like hairdo and purple jumper.

Classics from the Comics was a British comics magazine, published from March 1996 until October 2010. Published monthly, it was D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd's third all-reprint comic. It replaced The Best of Topper and The Best of Beezer, which had reprinted old strips for some years.

Colonel Blink was a British comic strip, drawn by Tom Bannister in November 1958 for the majority of its run, with a few later strips being drawn by Bill Ritchie and Gordon Bell in the same style as Bannister. The strip was published in the comics magazine The Beezer. Denis Gifford in his Encyclopedia of Comic Characters (1987) attributes his creation to "Carmichael." His latest appearances were in the reprint Classics from the Comics series and the associated Beano and Dandy reprint annuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddy Brennan</span> Comic artist

Paddy Brennan is an Irish comics artist who worked mainly in the UK, drawing adventure strips for D. C. Thomson & Co. titles. He was a freelancer, working six months of the year in Dublin and six months in London.

The Fun Size Beano and Fun Size Dandy were small-format, full-colour children's comics, originally published four times monthly by DC Thomson and Co. Ltd between 1997 and 2010. They replaced the Beano and Dandy Comic Libraries, originally printed in red, white and black and published from 1982 to 1997. The Beano Comic Libraries lasted for 368 issues and their Dandy counterparts lasted for 344 issues. There were also comic library specials, The Beano Comic Library Specials being puzzle books and lasting for 87 issues (1988–1994) and the Dandy Comic Library Specials being cartoon books, featuring a number of single page comic strips and these lasted for 88 issues (1987–1994).

Adrian the Barbarian was a comic strip in the comic The Beezer, and later the merged Beezer and Topper, first introduced in 1989. It featured a boy who dressed as a barbarian with a magical sword. He lived in a very strange world where almost anything could happen, whether it be good or bad. Many inanimate objects gained life in the strip, for example a pile of coal for the fire turned into a man called Old King Coal. He appeared in The Beezer annual until the last one dated 2003.

Send for Kelly was a long running comic strip that first appeared in The Topper, originally drawn by George Martin.

References

  1. The Book of the Beezer by Ray Moore