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.

Harry gets Lucky

This week's Dandy. Harry Hill, Kylie. All will be explained in exchange for just £1.50. Bargain.

The finger is on the trigger...

Another unpublished item by Yours Truly (that's me). Back in the early 1990s all-things-Gerry Anderson had a revival, and I was lucky enough to get to work with the legendary Alan Fennell on Thunderbirds, Stingray and Joe 90 comics. I was just about to have this cover on a Captain Scarlet comic when Fleetway noticed he was holding a gun, strictly off limits as it turned out, and, rather than crop it or put a caption across it, they pulled the plug- and, a couple of weeks later, cancelled the comic completely - ah, shame. Anyway, here it is, in public for the first time.

Three Hours and Counting...

On Saturday 11 June BBC Radio4Extra (DAB or internet or freeview or cable only- I mean it's not on the portable in the kitchen-) has a huge 3 hour special about Our favourite Count, Arthur. So, ears at the ready, and tune in to The man Himself and Laugh along with all of his deranged fans like me.

B.S.K. spells Summer

As it's summer (supposedly) here are the Bashers on the beach, from a Bash Street Kids Summer Special, back in the hand-coloured-by-me days. So you have to find 6 things beginning with 'K'? I can only see the four I drew, so good luck with that!

Owen Goal

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I loved drawing Owen Goal in the Dandy between 1998 and who knows when. Probably my favourite-ever strip. Probably because of daft escapades like this!

Comfortably Numb

From time to time I'm asked to draw other strips, usually to 'ghost' other artists. In 2002 I got to draw The Numskulls and hand-colour it with some nice touches of veins, tissue and flesh- lovely. I like drawing this strip, but it doesn't happen so often. Oh well.

Did I Do that?

If you'd asked me the day before yesterday if I had ever drawn Korky the Cat other than for a cover illustration, I'd have said "definitely not." But I would have been positively incorrect, because in 2004 I drew this double page spread for a Dandy Holiday Special. Hand coloured by me, too, and, for something I have no recollection of doing, it's not too bad! And look, there's Korky!

Rascals Return

You'll never guess who I was drawing today. Go on, try. Oh, well if you're going to look at the picture... but yes, it's those terrible toddlers again (and their mum) as seen in this frame, fresh off the drawing board, and presented here as a tantilizing sneak preview of The Dandy Book 2013. Yes 2013!!