Harry's got a note from his Mum.

The Dandy annual 2012 is almost upon us - they're published earlier every year! Eagle-eyed readers will spot there is one character that has been a mainstay of the Dandy over the past nine months that isn't represented- I can confirm there's No Harry Hill in the annual. This isn't because it was prepared before he joined the Dandy line-up, it's due to boring, complicated stuff that's of no interest except it means that he will be absent from the book. But never fear, he's in the weekly (isn't it nice to call The Dandy a weekly again!) and there's plenty of great stuff in the annual, so who's complaining!

Back! Back!!

Owen Goal! He's BACK in this week's Dandy! Well, for one frame. Seemed the right place for him!

Summer Specials are back!

Colours Nika, in the style of old seaside postcards

Although sadly only in 'period' form- after the Beano 'compilation', here's another "haven't I seen that before" moment. Yet again those nice people at Men's Health magazine have asked me to come up with a vintage-style Summer Special cover for this year. And this is it. it'll have text on the image (hence the three blank-ish areas) and will most likely be on an inside page. I think it's the August issue, which will be on sale soon, all you Healthy Men.

Bad Publicity?

Last Year (on my birthday, thanks!) my latest Beano strip came in for a bit of Press attention from the late, unlamentable News of the World and others. When I initially heard the proposed name of the strip, I did have misgivings . . . but I felt we did a good job on it, Alan Digby, who wrote it, me, who drew it and Nika who coloured it, including all those crimson faces and steam the strip required.

Of course, it was all over-hyped and contradictory. How often do the press accuse The Beano and Dandy of being 'too Politically Correct', and here they are lambasting us for being 'defiantly un-politically correct'! Still, never let facts get in the way of a good story.

I appreciated, however, their highlighting the picture of 'Calm Uncle Clive', obviously in paroxsyms of rage, as it was the only 'sight gag' I contributed ( I think) during the brief run of only four strips.

Gone but not forgotten

Cuddles and Dimples, quite the worst toddlers in the world, are no longer regulars in The Dandy- but they're still around from time to time- this month sees the publication of The Dandy Annual, and here's a typical frame from it. The Dandy annual traditionally features characters from throughout the comics' history, not just it's current incarnation.

Don't Believe It

I love these signs. Kudos to this shopkeeper, who, opening an 'open 9 till late' store elected to call it '10 till 10'. Why be hidebound by convention, clarity or sanity? Good move.

Drink Up, Kids

A well-known supermarket which I am obliged to call simply 'Tesco' have decided, it would appear, that children aren't drinking sufficient white wine, so they've very kindly and cleverly jammed a nice big carousel of such alcohol right up against these pre-school comics titles. Well done, Tesco, good brainwashing and excellent social and civic responsibility, first class - where would we be without you?

Gene Colan, into the shadows

"Gentleman Gene" Colan, as Stan Lee dubbed him in the 1960s, has sadly passed away after a long illness. On the right, a self-portrait of this, the most atmospheric penciller in American comics. His run on several Marvel titles in the 1960s, 70s and 80s is a masterclass in shadow and movement.

At left is original art of the first Marvel Comic I bought for myself-  the first one I saw in a shop, and at 10d, a bit expensive in late 1966, but well worth it!

Read more about him on Mark Evanier's always excellent site here

Elton enjoys brief career high as Dandy character

Harry Hill, in The Dandy this week, in a story mainly written by Sean Baldwin (although I did the bit with Clarkson!) and solely drawn by me. That's it with the shoe gags. read the Dandy, it's what eyes were invented for!

Uh Oh

A year ago The Beano ran 3 episodes of a strip I drew called 'Uh Oh, Si Co'.
Yeah, not my choice of title.
It got a lot of (negative) attention, and one or two people liked it. Although 3 were published, I had drawn four - and as it's not remotely likely this last one will ever be printed, I thought it would be nice (is that the right word?) to present it here, without word balloons, but the story is fairly clear.

Coloured by Nika.