List of Topper comic strips explained

The Topper was a long running anthology comic which ran from 1953 to 1990. Mergers with two other comics, Buzz and Sparky in 1975 and 1977, respectively, added characters from those comics to The Topper's roster. The Topper eventually merged with another comic The Beezer in 1990 becoming the Beezer and Topper, this new comic featured a number of characters from The Topper and ended in 1993 with a few of the characters going on to appear in two other comics The Beano and The Dandy. The comic included a number of comic strip adaptations of classic novels, mainly the works of H. Rider Haggard and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Strip Title [1] [2] ArtistsGenreFirst AppearanceLast AppearanceNotes
Beryl the PerilDavy Law, and later drawn by John DallasComic11963Appeared on cover from 1986 to the merge with The Beezer in 1990. Later appeared in The Dandy.
Big Fat Boko And His Crafty Crow (Series 1)Ken HunterAdventure130
Captain Bungle George MartinComic1363
The Fighting Frasers (Series 1)Bill HolroydAdventure199
Flip Mccoy The Floating Boy (Series 1)Paddy BrennanAdventure168
FoxyCharles Grigg and later Evi de BonoComic11229A fox forever trying to steal chickens and forever getting blasted by The Farmer. Later appeared in The Dandy.
Fritzi RitzComic199
Mickey the Monkey (series 1)Dudley D. Watkins, later drawn by Vic Neill.Comic11666The original cover star until 1973.
NancyErnie BushmillerComic11111Reprints of the American comic.
Smart Art George Martin/George DrysdaleComic1470
Tiny Tim (Series 1)James ClarkComic1361A minute boy who lives and plays amongst insects
Treasure Island (Original Series)Dudley D. WatkinsAdventure130
Uncle Dan - The Managerie ManAllan MorleyComic2248
Kidnapped (Original Series)Adventure3154
The Tiger Of KashgarAdventure3171
Robinson CrusoeAdventure5579
The Jolly RogersPaddy BrennanAdventure6980
Big Fat Boko And His Crafty Crow (Series 2)Ken HunterAdventure72101
Wild Young Dirky (Series 1)Dudley D. WatkinsAdventure8094
Coal-Black Jonah (Series 1)George RamsbottomComic Adventure81108
King Solomon's Mines (First Version)Adventure95121Based on the novel by H. Rider Haggard
Ferd'nandHenning Dahl MikkelsenComic100304
Happy Daze (Series 1)Adventure100133
Sir Laughalot (Series 1)Ken HunterComic Adventure102123A fantasy knight and his misadventures
Lucky Dicky Dolphin (Series 1)Adventure109128
Wild Young Dirky (Series 2)Adventure122132
Ali Baba And The Forty ThievesAdventure124130
Billy Boomerang Adventure129144
Jimmy's Mighty Midgets (Series 1)Paddy BrennanAdventure131147
(The Story Of) Gordon The GipsyAdventure133139
The Fighting Frasers (Series 2)Bill HolroydAdventure134196
(The Story Of) Allan Quatermain (First Version)Adventure140164
Big Fat Boko And His Crafty Crow (Series 3)Ken HunterAdventure145175
The Lady Of The LakeAdventure148158
Keep-Fit KittComic159199
Wild Young Dirky (Series 3)Dudley D. WatkinsAdventure159173
(The Story Of) The Black ArrowRon SmithAdventure165192
Coal-Black Jonah (Series 2)George Ramsbottom and George DrysdaleComic Adventure174185
Jed Cooper (First Series)Adventure176201
Sir Laughalot (Series 2)Ken HunterComic Adventure186199
(The Story Of) Captain BloodPaddy BrennanAdventure193222Adaptation of the novel by Rafael Sabatini
Happy Daze (Series 2)Adventure197219
Dixie's Box O’ TricksComic200214
Jimmy's Mighty Midgets (Series 2)Paddy BrennanAdventure215224
Big Chief Running Chump (Series 1)Adventure217242
In The Kingdom Of Zero (First Version)Bill Holroyd/Ron Smith/Ken HunterAdventure220258
Rob RoyAdventure223250
Coal-Black Jonah (Series 3)Comic Adventure225234
Jed Cooper (Second Series)Adventure235248
King Gussie (Series 1)George MartinComic235430A short strip about a king; like strips such as Desperate Dan, this surreally combined historical and modern day elements.
Big Fat Boko (Series 4)Ken HunterAdventure243261
Wulf Of The Arrows (Original Series)Paddy BrennanAdventure249282
Oliver TwistAdventure251280
Julius Cheeser (Series 1)George MartinComic256867A short strip about a cat's failures to catch a mouse.
Shorty's Little Giant (Series 1)Adventure259291
Big Uggy (Series 1)George DrysdaleComic262469A caveman and an anthropomorphic dinosaur friend Dopey
White WolfAdventure281300
Dive With The Dolphins (Series 2)Adventure283313
Sir Laughalot (Series 3)Ken HunterComic Adventure292311
Jack-A-LanternAdventure301315
The Bustem Boys On Bunkum Island (Series 1)Rudolph DirksComic305595A reprint of the American comic strip The Katzenjammer Kids[3]
Unlucky Starrs Adventure312331
Thunder GunnAdventure314321
Prester JohnAdventure316336
Wild Young Dirky (Series 4)Adventure322341
Happy Daze (Series 3)Adventure332341
The Call Of The WildAdventure337354
Big Chief Running Chump (Series 2)Adventure342358
Mystery Nick Adventure342363
The Dragon's Teeth (Original Series)Adventure355383
Journey To The Lost Land (Original Series)Adventure359383
Figaro (Series 1)Tom BannisterComic364922An overweight Mexican bandit and his gang, and his donkey or mule Pedro.
Natty Jack (Series 1)Comic364390
The Tribe Must Not DieAdventure364373
(The Story Of) The Three MusketeersAdventure374402
Not Guilty... But Sentenced To DeathAdventure384404
Tarzan Adventure384388
(They've) Got The Wrong WrightComic Adventure389396
(The Story Of) Sinbad The Sailor Adventure397412
(Beware Of) Gum-Drop Gas (Original Series)Comic Adventure403419
Back To Zero (Original Version)Bill Holroyd/Ron Smith/Ken HunterAdventure405435
Send for KellyGeorge Martin, and later by Sid BurgonComic Adventure4131963A secret agent called Nick Kelly, helped by assistant Cedric for most of the strip's run. Cedric was later replaced by Harry, nephew of Kelly. Survived Beezer merger in 1990. The strip appeared on the cover from the year 1973 to 1975.
Stallions Of The MoonAdventure419439
Big Fat Boko (Series 5, Reprints)Ken HunterAdventure420475
Danger In The HillsAdventure436442
(The Adventures Of) Midshipman KeenAdventure440470
The Storms At SeaAdventure443455
Castle's In The AirAdventure456469
Natty Jack (Series 2)Comic470475
Treasure Island (Reprint Series)Dudley D. WatkinsAdventure470499
The White WitchPaddy BrennanAdventure471489Adaptation of the novel She by H. Rider Haggard
Big X - The Bluffer From Planet E (Original Series)Comic Adventure476495
The Last WarriorsRon SmithAdventure490500
The Big Chief Says Me No Like Um Railroad! (Series 3)Adventure496507
Kidnapped (Reprint Series)Adventure500523
The Iron ManAdventure501515
The Happy GoluksAdventure508518
Danger All The WayAdventure516533
The Flying DutchmanComic519528
King Gussie (Series 2)George MartinComic519920
CatrionaAdventure524543
(Tall Tales From) Toad-In-The-HoleComic529638
Young HammerfistAdventure534545
It's A Funny WorldDefault544571
Sir Laughalot (Series 4, Reprints)Ken HunterComic Adventure544598
Flip Mccoy In Australia (Series 2)Paddy BrennanAdventure546610
Johnny RoverAdventure574654
King Solomon's Mines (Redrawn Version)Adventure574599
Desert Island Dick (Series 1)Comic5751144A short strip about a castaway, his pet octopus and his incompetent attempts to summon rescue. The name is a parody of Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4.
ArtyComic596617
The ShockerComic Adventure599611
(The Story Of) Allan Quatermain (Redrawn Version)Adventure600624
Island From NowhereAdventure611631
Billy Benn's Den / The Adventures Of Billy BennAdventure612677
The Ups And Downs Of Old Batty (Series 1)George MartinComic618696
Bunyan's Runaways!Adventure625677
Hector's ProtectorAdventure632652
Pop And The AnimalsComic639677
Giants From The SeaAdventure653677
Peter PlanetAdventure655703
Big Fat Boko (Series 6)Ken HunterAdventure678784
Big Uggy (Series 2)George DrysdaleComic678922
Rusty's RaidersAdventure678695
The Whizzers From Ozz (Series 1)Paddy BrennanAdventure678779Young Willie Walker meets two alien boys, Krik and Krak, who have a spacecraft and alien gadgets. Last strip was January 6, 1968, when Krik and Krak flew back to Ozz again.
Three Eggs In A BasketAdventure696728
Ali Babble (Series 1)Comic Adventure697766
The Plague Of London - 1966Adventure704729
In The Kingdom Of Zero (Redrawn Version)Bill Holroyd/Ron Smith/Ken HunterAdventure729766
Cracker JacksonAdventure730740
The Inky Top Imps (Series 1)Adventure741814
Circus Of FearAdventure767786
The Whiskery DicksComic767793
The Bright BoysComic768804
Kidnapped College (Original Series)Adventure780802
Andy LaddGeorge MartinComic785921A short strip about a resourceful young inventor
Little Copy CatComic785867
Sir Laughalot (Series 5)Ken HunterComic Adventure785814
Back To Zero (Redrawn Version)Bill Holroyd/Ron Smith/Ken HunterAdventure787814
Old Batty (Series 2)George MartinComic794867
The Dragon's Teeth (Reprint Series)Adventure803831
Ali And His Magic Carpet (Series 2)Comic Adventure805858
Big Fat Boko (Series 7)Ken HunterAdventure815833
The Sky Shark (Series 1)Adventure815846
Tiny Tom BannisterComic8241470The World's Biggest Dog
Oliver's Travels (Original Series)Comic832838
Big Chief Running Chump (Series 4)Adventure834867
(Beware Of) Gum-Drop Gas (Reprint Series)Comic Adventure839855
Journey To The Lost Land (First Reprint)Adventure847867
Jiffy And The Glyphs (Original Series)George MartinComic856978
Have-A-Bash-BillyComic859902
Dopey JoeComic868921A short strip about an incompetent Indian
Splodge (Series 1)Charles GriggComic8681152The last of the goblins - around four inches high and invisible to humans, except readers of The Topper, who stole food (Later in The Beano)
The Whizzers From Ozz (Series 2)Paddy BrennanAdventure868941
Wulf Of The Arrows (Reprint Series)Paddy BrennanAdventure868901
Lumbering JackComic902911
Old Batty Ace Of Space (Series 3)George MartinComic903922
Sir Laughalot (Series 6)Ken HunterComic Adventure912922
Tales From Bunkum Island (Series 2)Rudolph DirksComic923965
Jingo The JesterAdventure923952
Willy NillyComic9231002
The Sky Shark (Series 2)Adventure942954
Big X - The Bluffer From Planet E (Reprint Series)Comic Adventure953972
The Inky Top Imps (Series 2)Adventure955978
Sir Laughalot (Series 7)Ken HunterComic Adventure973978
Super SpecsComic9731013
Dicky's ThickiesDefault979989
Thor ThumbComic9791074
The Whizzers From Ozz (Series 3)Paddy BrennanAdventure9791056
Figaro (Series 2)Tom BannisterComic9901049
Tales From Moth EtonComic9911011
Danny's TrannyKen HunterComic10031737A boy and his magical transistor radio - was cover star from 1975 to 1979.
Uncle BobComic10121074
Dreamboat BillComic10241066
Piggy BanksComic10501144
Happy Daze (Series 4, Reprints)Adventure10571074
The Amazing Peet From Planet KPaddy BrennanAdventure10751125
Top Of The FlopsComic10751096
Whistling Billy Comic10751089
Star GuestsComic10771080
Plum DuffyComic10901109
Ghastly ManorMurray BallComic10971266A group of ghosts and monsters who live in a run-down manor which is perpetually for sale. Each episode is based on them scaring away a prospective buyer.
Morgan The MountieComic11101144
Dizzy Doodles (Reprints Of 'Smart Art')George Martin/George DrysdaleComic11121144
The Fighting Frasers (Series 3, Reprints)Bill HolroydAdventure11261138
The Sky Shark (Series 3)Adventure11391144
Big Fat Flo Phil MillarComic11451187Originally ran in Buzz
The Deadly Dwarf Of Drayton's CircusDefault11451152
Fred The FlopTom Lavery/Dave GudgeonComic11451736Incompetent, petty criminal whose schemes always fail. Originally from Buzz
Jimmy Jinx (and what he thinks)Ken H. Harrison and Gordon BellComic11451881Originally from Buzz later appeared in Fun Size Dandy
NobbyBob McGrathComic11451357
Sammy's ScribblesComic11451228
Sleepy EdComic11451187
Hoozee The WotsitComic11531235
The Whizzers From Ozz (Series 4)Paddy BrennanAdventure11531187
Kidnapped College (Reprint Series)Adventure11881210
Shorty ShamblesComic11881235
Golden OldiesDefault12021220
Phone The Crows!Comic12111235
The Wonderful World Of SidneyAdventure12111245
Quiz KiddDefault12291260
Mysterious Monty MercuryAdventure12361260
Tiny Tim (Series 2, Reprints)James ClarkComic12361282
Tricky DickyJohn Dallas [4] Comic12461963Cover star from 1979 until 1986. Moved to the inside for the duration of the comic's life, survived Beezer merge, later appeared in The Beano
Big Fat Boko (Series 8, Reprints In ‘Pick Of The Topper')Ken HunterAdventure12611275
Big Uggy (Series 3, Reprints In ‘Pick Of The Topper')George DrysdaleComic12611275
Flip Mccoy (Series 3, Reprints In ‘Pick Of The Topper')Paddy BrennanAdventure12611275
Julius Cheeser (Series 2, Reprints In ‘Pick Of The Topper')George MartinComic12611275
Shorty's Little Giant (Series 2, Reprints In ‘Pick Of The Topper')Adventure12611275
Splodge (Series 2, Reprints In ‘Pick Of The Topper')Charles GriggComic12611275
Ali's BabaMalcolm Judge/Vic NeillComic12761870
Hungry HoraceAlbert Holroyd/Gordon BellComic12761963A kid with the bottomless appetite who is always after food. Originally from Buzz and The Dandy
L CarsComic12761357
Peter PiperComic12761870Character with magical pan pipes that could animate objects. Originally appeared in the short lived The Magic Comic and revived in Sparky.
Puss An’ BootsComic12761394
(We Are The) Sparky PeopleComic12761357
Thingummy BlobAlbert HolroydComic12761439
Hizz And HurzzComic12831301
Happy Harry's HowlersComic13001319
AutoteachComic13021315
Janet The GannetComic13161341
Desert Island Dick (Series 2)Tom BannisterComic13221353
Whistler And His DogMartin Baxendale/Daniel PhippsComic13421373
Freddie StareComic13581439
The Mini MartinsAdventure13581382
Tyme TwinsComic13581394
The Whizzers From Ozz (Series 5)Paddy BrennanAdventure13581394For this series the Whizzers from Ozz appeared on the comic's cover, replacing Danny's Tranny before itself being replaced by Tricky Dicky.
Souper BoyJohn Dallas Comic13741737A weedy boy who became extremely strong when drinking a special soup, similarly to Popeye
Journey To The Lost Land (Second Reprint)Adventure13831403
Big Uggy (Series 4)Comic13951417
The Knights Of The Round TableComic13951439
Tom And TerryBob McGrathComic13951872from Sparky
KlankyAdventure14041421
Oliver's Travels (Reprint Series)Comic14181424
Barney BulldogComic14221439
Jiffy And The Glyphs (Reprint Series 1)George MartinComic14251439
Al Change - He’s His Own GrannyTom BannisterComic14401737
Fearful Fun Tales Keith ReynoldsComic14401580
Foxy (Series 2, Reprints)Comic14401466
Ghastly Manor (Series 2)Murray BallComic14401528
Splodge (Series 3, Reprints)Comic14401466
Splursh The Marsh ‘Un Comic14401470
Jiffy And The Glyphs (Reprint Series 2)George MartinComic14671528
Timothy Trim Comic14671490
Knut And Bolt Comic14711492
Square Eyes Malcolm JudgeComic14711881The TV Copycat/ the TV fan
Oogly Comic14911607
Battywoman Comic14931512
Fingy Albert HolroydComic15131666
The Amazing Peet From Planet K (Reprint Series)Adventure15291580
The Teeny Toppers Keith ReynoldsComic15811705
The Whizzers From Ozz (Series 6)Adventure15811631
Desert Island Dick (Series 3, Reprints)Comic15821734
Whistler And His Dog (Series 2)Martin Baxendale/Daniel PhippsComic16081737
Baba’s Topper Tale Comic16321705
Brainless Comic16321666
Boppo The Hopeless Hooligan Comic16671737
Old Batty (Series 4, Reprints)George MartinComic Adventure16671705
Sudsy Malone And Plumb Comic16671705
Jingo The Jester (Reprints)Adventure17061728
Joe The Janny Comic17061737
The Wotsit Comic17061737
Willie Fixit Robert NixonComic17061881
Figaro (Series 3)Tom BannisterComic17291808
King Solomon’s Mines (Reprint Of First Version)Adventure17291754
The Neals On Wheels Comic17381818
Pearl Gordon BellComic17381881
Tricky Dicky’s Big Gag! Comic17381871
The Video Kid Evi De BonoComic17381881
Stan And Oily - the Runaway RobotsKen HunterComic Adventure17551825
Smart Art’s Sketchbook (Series 3)George Martin/George DrysdaleComic18121870
The Skratch Squad Comic18191875
Bogeyman Comic18711963
The Ozzies Comic18711897
Spike Comic18731962
Stavros Comic18731963
Pup Parade Gordon BellComic18761963
Figaro (Series 4)Comic18821963
Kong Comic18821961
Little Red Rooster / Foxy And Little Rooster Comic18821963
Scaredy Cat John DallasComic18821963
Vest Enders Comic18821963
Stupid Cupid Comic18971920
Hoo-Haa Henry Comic19071963
Captain Bungle (Series 2)George MartinComic19271963
Mickey The Monkey (Series 2)Comic19271963
That’s Rich Comic19531963
What’s Your Problem ? Comic19531962

See also

Notes and References

  1. Topper Tales by Ray Moore
  2. Web site: Archived copy of The Topper Comic Summary . 2021-04-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191020171646/http://www.topper-universe.co.uk/topper/index.php?sort=1a . 2019-10-20 .
  3. Web site: This week in 1962: THE TOPPER . 2022-03-22.
  4. Web site: Obituary: The work of Beano and Topper cartoonist John F Dallas thrilled millions. 2022-03-22.