Reg Parlett's Whizzer and Chips Lib an' Archie and their Magic Piano

Whizzer and Chips 1st May 1978 It stated off as just being called Magic Piano.

I've found another Reg Parlett comic character he did..I don't think he did it for long before Joe McCaffrey took over (I think that is the name of the artist that drew it next!). The strip is a great concept and lots of old and new tunes are played resulting in fun results..again Reg is the master at drawing an object in so many different ways in each panel..also nice expressions on the piano!! the eyes mixed in to the woodwork and the grinning teeth of the smile in the keyboard..


Mike Lacey ghosting a kind of Reg Parlett/Joe McCaffrey style..
which is unusual as Mike often drew different characters in his own style..also normally the cover was for Sid and Shiner..

It is a nice cover..Mike the king of comic covers..



Inside annual Joe McCaffrey

Reg Parlett Knockout's Full house

Knockout 11th September 1971



Its a fun simple idea and I can't believe I've overlooked this strip for the blog..
The girl seems to love George Best both boy and girl are in there bedrooms and the father is often battling against the mice of the house..Mother is often found in the kitchen..the crows always looking down to see what they are all up to this week..
Love the naughty baby!!:))Also a budgie a cat and dog are also in the action..
Love how the whole house (including sometimes the basement) is used and lots of busy pictures to enjoy in each room..








http://knockoutcomic1970s.blogspot.com/2010/02/knockout-covers-no1-to-no27.html
See steelclaw great website on Knockout..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4049
Full House from Knockout chat on comicsuk forum

Teen Titans Wallpapers

Teen Titans Wallpapers 1

Teen Titans Wallpapers 2

Teen Titans Wallpapers 3

Teen Titans Wallpapers 4

Buster comics The Runaways

Joe Colquhoun
Buster 13th Dec 1975
http://www.bustercomic.co.uk/runaways.html

This is a nice strip full of drama and adventure..

Mystique Wallpapers

Mystique Wallpapers 1

Mystique Wallpapers 2

Mystique Wallpapers 3

Mystique Wallpapers 4

Ghost Rider - Ghost Riders In The Sky ( Spiderbait )

I saw this film again recently on the Director's Cut DVD. Loved it even more than the first time around in the theatres. In fact, I loved it soooooo much that I'm tempted to pick up Jason Aaron's "Ghost Rider Omnibus"... :)

Comicsuk forum Great posts 2

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3422
at last: BABY BOOMER
Great seeing Spy's comicstrip work..




http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4001
Dennis the Menace tinplate clicker
also Danny, Minnie and Biffo.what a great free gift!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2964
Things that only happen in comics..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2429
Buddy comic discussion

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3756
Comics seen on Tv programs..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3788
Questions for John Stokes (Buster's Marney the fox)

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3748
'widescreen' comics: original-format BEEZER and TOPPER
Beezer and Topper in full size..wonderful to see..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3939
Fudge the elf by Ken Reid...a real eye opener! Much more going on in this strip it had a lot more punch then I realised..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3800
'You'll never work for the BEANO again!''
Leo Baxendale leaving the Beano..also Ken Reid..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3682
Whacko comic with art by Terry Bave.
Lyons Maid produced it..so lots of icecream and lolly references in the pages..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3811
Weirdest-Ever Comic Strips!
Girls comic pages which are great to see..lots of imagination and atrangeness like
The girl in the mask..
Balloon Girl
Though that horse picture is just evil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3767
Different birds featured in comics like Polly the Parrot in Mickey the Monkey..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3737
Some great Steve Bell mazes he did for Cheeky to see..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1498
Western strips in comics..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3410
Patriotic British Heroes

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3634
See Ken Harrison's Broons and Oor Wullie IN color! also in few colours..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3631
Masters of Genre
who was the best in Dark Comedy, Comedy general, Comic Adventure, Sci Fi, Fantasy, TV realted artists, Sport, Romance and War.

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3610
Years of "Maxwell Hawke" in `Buster` comic!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3147
Prehistoric characters
like Toppers Big Uggy!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2893
Jonah book vol 1 and 2...lets hope this happens one day!!
At least we got the best of The Dandy's wonder dog Black Bob book..so there is a chance..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3533
British Comics and WWII 1945-1965
like The Beezers 'The Heroes of Paradise Road'

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3514
Buster artists interviewed for the 50 year Birthday
http://www.bustercomic.co.uk

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3114
Best ever free gifts in comics....e.g the Gnasher Snapper..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2650
Easter comic covers..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3508
Bash street kids and Young Desperate Dan text stories and images in The Wizard


http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3409
The "gross comics" debate

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3451
Eric Bradbury

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2409
More Chriatmas covers some amazing covers!!!!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3263
Longest running merged masthead cover appearance

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3222
The class system in comics

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3241
When we were young...old photos of us as comic fans...

including me!!:)


http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3045
Beanos on the Loose!
Adverts in other comics of The Beano also
David Sutherland Bash Street early years..with great title panels..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3078
Breaking the Fourth Wall
I love this in comics..when the characters are reading themselves..or know they are a comic..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2981
Groan! It's the grown-ups!
Characters like Jonah, The Bad Lads, L Cars, Send for Kelly etc..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2982
Comics that make you laugh:))

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2896
One Small Step - Moon Wanderers and Others

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2737
Nick Kelly: A Spy For All Seasons!
sadly some of the images have gone..still worth reading..a very inventive well drawn story..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2954
Comic Stories...and how they end

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2900
Comic `Ads` on the Telly!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2884
Bring back Summer Specials!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2857
Euan Kerr leaves DC Thomson

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2640
A 1960's comic countdown.
Kashgar tells us The most successful comic to be launched in the 1960's, at least as regards longevity.

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1135
Express Weekly

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2711
MOST `Nauseating` comic character of all time

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=942
Should The Beano and Dandy have more detailed work..?


http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1105
Dudley Watkins Centenary
One day a whole book should come out on this great comic artist..


http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1802
magazine and comic covers
As mentioned on this blog before bring back drawn magazine covers..why does nearly every magazine have to have a photo on it..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2301
Les Barton

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1623
From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties...
Harry's Haunted House for example..

also from Kashgar
As promised list of contents of Monster Fun No 1 dated 14/6/75.
Cover - Kid Kong using free gift 'plate wobbler' art Robert Nixon
Frankie Stein (Honorary Ed) art Robert Nixon
Kid Kong art Robert Nixon
X-Ray Specs art Mike Lacey
Martha's Monster Make-up art Ken Reid
Dough Nut and Rusty art Trevor Metcalfe
Grizzly Bearhug - Giant art Andrew Christine
Ugly Mug photo competition
Art's Gallery art Mike Lacey
Badtime Bedtime Storybook art Leo Baxendale
Draculass art Terry 'news of my death has been much exagerrated' Bave
Brainy and his Monster Maker art anon
March of the Mighty Ones art Mike White
Monster Hits gag page
Major Jump - Horror Hunter art Ian Knox
Creature Teacher art Tom Williams
Tom Thumbscrew the torturer's apprentice art Trevor Metcalfe
The Invisible Monster art Sid Burgon
Cinders she's hot stuff art Norman Mansbridge.Very useful information thanks Kashgar

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2420
Moon Madness from Smash!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1697
Sea-monkeys, 'onion-gum' and X-ray specs......
Those strange ads in American comics where you can buy X Ray specs!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2393
Chix in comix
like Minnie in The Beano..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2322
Dandy v Beano - Why is Beano the more successful?


more to be added soon to this post..up to discussion page 14..

Hope people are finding this useful.its taking a long time to do..though fun rereading old posts..

so many good topics we've discussed at comicsuk forum

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/index.php

Upcoming Marvel Spotlights

While everyone is waiting expectantly for Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen's "Fear Itself" event sweeping through the 616-Marvel Universe in the upcoming months, I am actually more excited about some other important announcements about upcoming storylines and titles:

The former Fantastic Four book ended with the death of Johnny Storm and will be relaunched as "FF #1" - also by the creative team of Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting. Only thing is, the FF now stands for the "Future Foundation" and apparently, Spider-Man will take the place of the Human Torch on the team. In addition, the team will also sport brand spankin' new white costumes. Colour me excited!

Speaking of Spidey, Dan Slott will be writing the next Spidey-event entitled "Spider-Island" and it all begins with "Infested" in issue #659. I've read the first several issues of Dan Slott's "Big Shot" with art by Humberto Ramos and liked what I saw so far. Will definitely keep a lookout for this upcoming tale.

Lastly, the piece of news that got me most excited about reading Marvel comics again is the announcement of "BIG SHOTS"! I believe the big shots refer to both star creators on star characters. So far, we know that Bendis and Maleev will be on "Moon Knight". I am still eagerly waiting for the news on who will be responsible for the "Daredevil" and "Punisher" relaunches. These are the most interesting characters that Marvel has and they deserve the best. I'm hoping that we see the sort of energy on these books to match the "Marvel Knights" launches of the titles back in the late 1990s. :)

[Is it too much to hope for Frank Miller and Klaus Janson to take on the Punisher?]

Highlights from Marvel Solicitations for May 2011

The new solicitations are up and these are the things that caught my eyes:

First on the list - the David Michelinie/Todd McFarlane Spidey Omnibus! This is a no-brainer. It was the comicbook that defined the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bonus - it even comes with a variant cover featuring the black costume! For you kids out there, this is the first appearance of VENOM!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY DAVID MICHELINIE & TODD MCFARLANE OMNIBUS HC

Written by DAVID MICHELINIE
Penciled by TODD MCFARLANE, ALEX SAVIUK, ERIK LARSEN & COLLEEN DORAN
Covers by TODD MCFARLANE
Whether clad in blue and red or black, or possessing spider-powers or cosmic ones, Spider-Man stands ready to face any threat! And the threats have never been greater! From his own foes — Venom, Mysterio, the Scorpion and more — to newcomers to his friendly neighborhood like Sabretooth, the Taskmaster, Magneto and the Sentinels, Spidey sure has his hands full! Good thing he’s got Mary Jane, Captain America, the Black Cat and the Hulk around to lend a hand! Featuring the pulse-pounding prose of longtime IRON MAN scribe David Michelinie and the groundbreaking artistry of the legendary Todd McFarlane! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #296-329 and material from SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #10.
848 PGS./Rated A …$99.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-5729-8
Trim size: oversized

Other things that caught my interest included the first Captain Britain HC featuring early tales by Chris Claremont and others. This, I believe, is the first part that was also reprinted in the Captain Britain omnibus a little while ago. Matt Fraction's first Thor storyarc also gets the HC treatment along with the classic "X-Tinction Agenda" crossover. However, I'm possibly most excited about the "Mighty Avengers: Dark Reign" hardcover that collects the entire Dan Slott run. This was my favourite monthly comic from the past 5 years. Slott and gang managed to capture all the fun and idiosyncracies of the Avengers that I grew up with - particularly Steve Englehart's "West Coast Avengers".

MIGHTY AVENGERS: DARK REIGN HC

Written by DAN SLOTT & CHRISTOS GAGE
Penciled by KHOI PHAM, RAFA SANDOVAL, STEPHEN SEGOVIA, SEAN CHEN & NEIL EDWARDS
Covers by KHOI PHAM
When darkness reigns, founding Avenger Hank Pym decides the world once again needs Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! Quicksilver, USAgent, Vision, Stature, Jocasta, Hercules and Amadeus Cho answer Pym’s call — but with an oddly sinister Scarlet Witch alerting the squad to new missions, and Pym’s fixation on his deceased ex-wife drawing concern from his new teammates, can this fledgling group of Avengers overcome threats such as the chaotic Chthon, Norman Osborn’s Cabal and the deposed Inhuman monarch known only as the Unspoken? Plus: The Mighty Avengers find themselves embroiled in a grudge match against the Fantastic Four and a savage showdown with the Dark Avengers, and Pym is named the universe’s Scientist Supreme! But when Loki’s schemes come to fruition, and the Mighty Avengers must contend with the Siege of Asgard, can the team survive without its leader — and can Pym survive a confrontation with his sinister cybernetic “son,” Ultron? Collecting MIGHTY AVENGERS #21-36 and material from SECRET INVASION: REQUIEM
424 PGS./Rated T+ …$44.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-5669-7
Trim size: oversized

Galactus in Marvel vs Capcom 3

New Trailers for Thor and X-Men: First Class

This is the 2nd official trailer for the upcoming "Thor" feature film. It's starting to look really good and an old God of Thunder fan like me will definitely be standing in line to buy a ticket once this is released. :)



And here's the love story of two boys named Erik and Charles. Actually, it's the 1st trailer for "X-Men: First Class" and it looks rather promising. Except for the bits of gay-bromance between Erik and Charles!

The mini comic booklets..and other collecting fun!

Spotter book of TV Whoopee! 28th January 1978.
Spotter guide booklets were also popular..you ticked it off when you spotted them..
So watching Blue Peter you could then tick off Valerie..don't know the other people..
tick off when you spot a cameraman..


Slow Coach 1973 by Frank Mc Diarmid and Lucky Dick 1976 by Ian Knox
A Whizzer and Chips Merry Memories Booklet which resulted in readers voting for one of these old characters to come back..as a good guess it was Beat your Neighbours.



Cards could be collected and later played into a game..
26th Feb 1983 Buster Xray Specs game


Buster by Reg Parlett 15th December 1984
You could make up a diary booklet..this was a popular theme..Krazy comic did this..

World Wide Werdies drawn this time by Robert Nixon did a Calendar booklet showing the seasons with monsters!

http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogspot.com/2009/04/ken-reids-world-wide-weirdies-january_27.html
Love to see the other one..sadly don't have that one..I like how hes blended the Autumn and Winter season into one picture..though shame the booklet was only in two parts..
(Ken did do the Calendar one Month at a time in a Shiver and Shake annual..)


This was a treat you could collect the booklets together to make the first number one Whizzer and Chips! (20th October 1979)
They also did this with Buster number 1 booklet..




Sid Burgon drawing (Whizzer and Chips 10th and 24th October 1981) Joker used the booklet pages to tell a gag a page so you didn't have to wait until next week to find oput what happens next..









Paul Ailey Whoopee! 14th October 1978

These mini comics appeared at times in IPC comics and a few times in DC Thomson. Sometimes you had to buy four comics then cut out and put in order making a bigger mini comic.
These can be puzzle books, joke books..
http://www.bustercomic.co.uk/pullouts.html

Also they did comic samplers booklets to give you a flavour of other comics you may not have bought..e.g Mickey Mouse Weekly, Whoopee, Cheeky..so another good idea..

http://www.enterthestory.com/badtime_bedtime_books.html
Leo Baxendale of course did the great Badtime Bedtime booklets in Monster fun see link for examples and info..

Jack Edward Oliver did an amazing choose your own adventure type Cliff hanger booklet..it time traveled Cliff to different eras it was very clever work..you had two options to choose from taking you to a different page in the booklet..

http://www.oocities.com/pjgcomics/index.htm
Off Topic...its so good to see my geocities back online thanks oocities..
See on the page for all my other websites on top comic artists..it made me very happy to see this!

I know there was an Ivy the Terrible booklet in The Beano by Robert Nixon But DC Thomson didn't seem to do many of these...unless you know better..
Maybe the new Dandy could bring back comic booklets...mind you I wouldn't want to cut my comic up..:)

New Animal art up to see..

I always liked the tv series Lassie watching in the early 80's..


I'd thought it would be interesting to just do a few spots of colour on this cat..making the eyes stand out..


Just like the lion one I've zoomed right into the face..I'm going to do a series of these..drawing a close up of a Cow face next..:)




This one was just too good to be a Christmas card for my Wife only, so now other people can have this as a card or prints..got permission from her.

Buy these as Cards,
A3 and A4 Mounted Prints at
www.petergrayanimals.co.uk using Paypal

Election cartoon

BEEB Magazine Adventure Story pages....

Grange Hill

The strip captures the flavour of the tv series quite well.



Automan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A476813




Tripods
John M Burns

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/tripods/



One by One

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Taylor_(veterinarian)

I've never watched Tripods, Automan or One by One so can't comment on them..also never liked Grange Hill..though did watch Byker Grove ;)