Tom Bannister's amazing comic work for DC Thomson

Desert Island Dick and Olly its amazing how these writers kept these Topper stars fresh for so many years..



The Mother looks very like Pop in a wig!! No wonder they had twins!
Here are two of the best and funniest comic strips by Tom from the Beezer...
Pop Dick and Harry not forgetting Towser!
and Colonal Blink, Aunty and Rover..



Great use of the large format...a great looking down shot in that last panel..


I love how the horse Pedro is a character in his own right in Figaro..Tom often used this device to good effect..





Al Change the last new character by Tom in the now smaller size Topper..a very interesting concept..done in the safety of a comic rather than real life!


Beano Book 1962 the inside book front and back covers..







The only time Tom drew for The Beano..




Heres where the pet which Tom is great at drawing took centre stage..
I love how he sometimes draws his characters talking to the reader..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=4093
See at comicsuk forum Rays great piece on Tom from The Comic Journal. thanks to Phoenix.
Also at the same post is some nice scans showing Tom putting his name and a likeness..wonder if he did have that kind of beard? thanks to Niblet!

Ray is and hopefully resuming later doing a post on the top 100 strips in Topper and Beezer showing which character had the most appearances...

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3987

Tom's work is well worth looking at again..it has a new perspective reading it as an adult..it really reached different ages his strip..

UPDATED ...George Martin's unusual comic gems

Topper 8th Dec 1973..Whistling Billy is new to me and Harry and William from Hoot comic 11th October 1986.
Its always great to find new characters by an artist you like

Its funny seeing Prince William and Harry as kids in this strip.they have grown up a lot since!!:)

Smart Art is from an early 60's Topper annual. Quiite a surreal strip.even the comic characters thoughts are not there own But drawn in by the artist..drawn by an artist...whoah!! Far out man!!:)

I found one examples of each while sorting through the new comics I've bought. George sure loved drawing policeman and also vehicles of different types..






George Martin


Though George drew Smart Art this is the version by Tom Bannister thanks to Andy and Lew for the correction.

The scan above is from Phil Rushton at comicsuk forum...thanks Phil..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3078&hilit=topper+smart+art

Have a Beezer of a Guy Fawkes night

Tom Bannister- Pop, Dick and Harry and Colonal Blink..
remember don't smoke a firework..:))
I love the title panel of Guy Fawkes reading The Beezer on the Bonfire!!:))




Some Dudley D Watkin's magic..



Leo Baxendale sure can celebrate Guy Fawkes night in style..