Cracker (comics) explained

Cracker
Noimage:yes
Publisher:D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd
Date:18 January 1975 to 11 September 1976
Issues:87

Cracker was a British comic book magazine printed by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd that ran from the issues dated 18 January 1975 to 11 September 1976 (a total of 87 issues), when it merged with The Beezer. Some material from Cracker was reprinted in Classics from the Comics.

List of Cracker comic strips

These are in alphabetical order and all numbers refer to issues of Cracker.

Strip TitleArtistFirst AppearanceLast AppearanceNotes
The Astro-nutsAlan Rogers3678[1]
Big-Head Branny - The Strong-Arm JannyBarrie Appleby124About a surly and vindictive janitor
Billy The KidGordon Bell187A strip borrowing heavily from "Dennis the Menace and Gnasher", featuring a tearaway with black bushy hair and a mischievous spotted dog called Pongo. Appeared in The Beezer after the merger.
Castaways on Planet DoomTerry Patrick135An adventure story
Curly's CommandosBarrie Appleby147About a small gang of children organised along army lines.
Dunder Ed, The Wonder Blunder BoyPhil Milar187Not in 18, 38, 39, 40, 43 to 48, 55, 56, 64, 69, 70, 73 and 82.[2]
Fiends BeansGordon Bell2587
Ghastly Geezer's GalleryKen Harrison and readers of Cracker.187Not in 7, 17, 33, and 42.[3] A readers feature where readers sent in pictures of monsters referred to as Ghastly Geezers.
The Head-Hunters of Skookum SkoolKen Harrison155Had previously appeared in Buzz under the name "Skookum Skool". Not in 33 & 49.
Hector the CollectorJohn Aldrich155Not in 49.[4]
Iron HandPaddy Brennan187An adventure story about a secret agent with a metal hand, it later moved to The Beezer after the merger.
Jimmy Jest, His Shadow's a PestKen Harrison3887About a boy whose shadow would get him into trouble.
Joe SoapJohn Dallas187A strip involving a boy and magical soap bubbles. Appeared in The Beezer after the merger.
Little 'OrrorDavid Easington1687Appeared in The Beezer after the merger.
Mad AdsKen Harrison136They had a Mad Ads competition on the back page. Readers would send in an ad for a mad contraption and if it was printed, they would get 1 pound. A similar thing appeared in The Dandy in the 2010s.
The NuttersJohn Geering187Not in 49. Squabbles between a signalman called Percy Potters plus a family of three squirrels (called Pa, Ma and Junior).
PC McGrawKen Harrison7087About a policeman who turns into a monkey/gorilla when wet.
Rip Van TinkleBarrie Appleby4187
SammyKen Harrison187The 'Face' of Cracker, he appeared in a number of features (not comic strips) which were "Jest a minute", "Sammy's Special Report" and "Sammy's Wacky Weekly". "Jest a minute" continued after the merger with The Beezer.
ScrapJack the wacky wizardUnknown7987
ScrapperTom Lavery185About a kid who liked to get into fights. Appeared in The Beezer after the merger.
Simple SpymanBill Ritchie187A spy with a very long beard, dark glasses, and dark-brimmed hat
SlojakBarry Appleby2587Involves a young bald boy detective.
The SnookumsKen Harrison124A misbehaved class whose strip consisted of large 'action' panels containing with numerous gags.
Spookie CookieTom Williams124A ghost cook in a haunted manor
Spookum SkoolKen Harrison123Yet another strip derivative of "The Bash Street Kids", but set in a haunted castle where the children are ghosts.
Wonder WelliesAndrew Christine2587Not in 36, 53, 59, 68, and 77.[5] A similarly named and themed strip appeared in Buster.[6]
Young Foo - The Kung Fu KidBrian Platt187A Chinese schoolboy martial artist, complete with bare feet as part of his school uniform. Each week he would feud with Bully Basher. Appeared in The Beezer after the merger.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The ASTRO-NUTS . 2012-03-26 . dead . https://archive.today/20120709052531/http://home.btconnect.com/thetopper/astronuts.php . 2012-07-09 .
  2. Web site: Dunder ed . 2012-03-26 . dead . https://archive.today/20120708230327/http://home.btconnect.com/thetopper/dundered.php . 2012-07-08 .
  3. Web site: Ghastly Geezers . 2012-03-26 . dead . https://archive.today/20120710071846/http://home.btconnect.com/thetopper/ghastlygeezers.php . 2012-07-10 .
  4. Web site: Hector the Collector . 2012-03-26 . dead . https://archive.today/20120708211255/http://home.btconnect.com/thetopper/hectorthecollector.php . 2012-07-08 .
  5. Web site: Wonder Wellies . 2012-03-26 . dead . https://archive.today/20120710140116/http://home.btconnect.com/thetopper/wonderwellies.php . 2012-07-10 .
  6. Web site: Toonhound - Cracker (1975–1976). toonhound.com. 2016-05-13.