The Magic Comic

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The third issue of the original run, dated 5 August 1939 The Magic Comic original run issue 3 - 5th Aug 1939 - FairUse.jpg
The third issue of the original run, dated 5 August 1939
A typical mid-run example of the relaunched 1970s incarnation, dated 4 March 1978 Magic Comic relaunch issue 110 - 4 March 1978 - FairUse.jpg
A typical mid-run example of the relaunched 1970s incarnation, dated 4 March 1978

The Magic Comic was a British comics magazine. It was the ill-fated third comics magazine from DC Thomson (after The Beano and The Dandy ). It was aimed at a younger audience, with more emphasis on picture stories. The first issue was published on 22 July 1939. The comic ran for only 80 issues until 25 January 1941. [1] Paper rationing resulting from the outbreak of the Second World War caused its demise. Its Editor Bill Powrie promised that 'the Magic' would return; however, he was killed in action in 1942.

Contents

Two annuals, named The Magic Fun Book , were also published in 1941 and 1942. From 1943 to 1949, The Magic Comic would share its annual with The Beano, under the title, The Magic-Beano Book . The cover star was Koko the Pup who would later team up with Big Eggo in the Magic-Beano Books between 1943 and 1950 in the story named Eggo and Koko.

A first issue of The Magic comic was sold on eBay in February 2006 for £1,250 to a collector, and it was one of only 6 copies known to exist. A 'Very Fine' copy was also sold in 1997 for £2,975.[ citation needed ] On 20 January 2015 the first 24 issues of The Magic Comic were sold for £13,000 (+20% commission; 15,600); it came to £650 per comic.

On 31 January 1976 DC Thomson revived the Magic Comic. [1] This incarnation would go on to last until 1979. [2] The new version was aimed at younger audience than The Beano and Dandy and was more of a pre-school comic than the original Magic comic. The comic was loosely concerned with magic of all kinds. Even though this new comic was considered a revival it contained none of the characters that appeared in the earlier Magic. However it did contain characters from The Beano with a spinoff of Biffo the Bear involving his niece and nephew, Cuddly and Dudley, appearing in the new comic.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Magic Comics". kellyscomics.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  2. "Biffo the Bear". The Beano. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012.