Latest Compal comic action offers Frank Bellamy “Thunderbirds”, John Ridgway “Doctor Who” art

The latest Compal comics auction is under way, again offering a huge range of fantastic British and American comics goodies – and some amazing art, too, including “Heros the Spartan” and “Thunderbirds” by Frank BellamyDoctor Who art by John Ridgway, and some superb art by Ron Turner, too.

In most instances, unless presented as slide show, click the images below for a larger image

Classic comic on offer stretch as far back as 1890, with Comic Cuts Nos 2, 3 and a Double Grand Christmas Number. From the 1930s, there’s a complete (Issues 1 – 20) run of Scoops in the catalogue, Britain’s first science fiction weekly, in a bound volume; plus School-DaysFilm FunDynamic Thrills and Jungle No 1, from the 1940s.

  • Scoops (1934) 1-20 complete run of the UK's first Sci-Fi weekly. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Poison Belt story in issues 14-18.
  • Scoops (1934) 1-20 complete run of the UK's first Sci-Fi weekly. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Poison Belt story in issues 14-18.
  • Scoops (1934) 1-20 complete run of the UK's first Sci-Fi weekly. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Poison Belt story in issues 14-18.
  • Scoops (1934) 1-20 complete run of the UK's first Sci-Fi weekly. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Poison Belt story in issues 14-18.
  • Scoops (1934) 1-20 complete run of the UK's first Sci-Fi weekly. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Poison Belt story in issues 14-18.
  • Scoops (1934) 1-20 complete run of the UK's first Sci-Fi weekly. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Poison Belt story in issues 14-18.

Above: Scoops (1934) 1-20 complete run of the UK’s first science fiction weekly. Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Poison Belt story in issues 14-18

The 1950s heralds complete years of The Beano and The Dandy, a copy of the first issue of The Beezer, plus Super-Detective Library, starring Rick Random – Space Detective – along with three original artworks by Ron Turner, best known, perhaps, for his work on TV Century 21’s “The Daleks”, but whose career included a huge range of works, for books, comics and magazines.

  • Beezer 1 (1956) Introducing Ginger by Dudley Watkins, Pop, Dick and Harry, Mick On The Moon and The Banana Bunch by Leo Baxendale
  • Beezer 1 (1956) Introducing Ginger by Dudley Watkins, Pop, Dick and Harry, Mick On The Moon and The Banana Bunch by Leo Baxendale
  • Beezer 1 (1956) Introducing Ginger by Dudley Watkins, Pop, Dick and Harry, Mick On The Moon and The Banana Bunch by Leo Baxendale

Above: Beezer 1 (1956) Introducing Ginger by Dudley Watkins, Pop, Dick and Harry, Mick On The Moon and The Banana Bunch by Leo Baxendale

Rick Random original artwork (1957) by Ron Turner for Super Detective Library No 101, "The Riddle of the Vanishing People" Page 36 - Pen and ink on card 14 x 10 ins
Rick Random original artwork (1957) by Ron Turner for Super Detective Library No 101, “The Riddle of the Vanishing People” Page 36 – Pen and ink on card 14 x 10 ins
A recreation of "The Wall' cover artwork by Ron Turner for Milestone Publications Book of the same name first published in 1953, featured in the newly-published "The Fantastic Art of Ron Turner" by John Lawrence. Poster colour on board. 21 x 14" (including border). From the estate of John Lawrence
A recreation of “The Wall’ cover artwork by Ron Turner for Milestone Publications Book of the same name first published in 1953, featured in the newly-published “The Fantastic Art of Ron Turner” by John Lawrence. Poster colour on board. 21 x 14″ (including border). From the estate of John Lawrence
Recreation of the cover of Hardboiled # 31  by Ron Turner for Gryphon Books, New York (2004), featured in "The Fantastic Art of Ron Turner" by John Lawrence. Poster colour on board. 17 x 12" (including border). From the Estate of John Lawrence
Recreation of the cover of Hardboiled # 31 by Ron Turner for Gryphon Books, New York (2004), featured in “The Fantastic Art of Ron Turner” by John Lawrence. Poster colour on board. 17 x 12″ (including border). From the Estate of John Lawrence

Tiger No 1 is on offer, too, complete With Free Gift, a Space Gun and mini Tiger No 1 giveaway, as is a “Dan Dare” cover artwork for EAGLE by Frank Hampson and Don Harley, a page from “Reign of the Robots”, in which the evil Mekon has conquered Earth with his Elektrobot army. 

  • Tiger No 1 (1954) With Free Gift Space Gun (lacking the 6 Flying Saucer bullets). Including The Tiger Album of Football Club Badges (24th September 1960), Tiger Album of Modern Sports Cars of the World (1962) (8 of the 16 colour phots attached). The Tiger No 1 mini giveaway free gift (22nd Sept 1979). The 1954 No 1 has had its staples removed to prevent further rust marks
  • Tiger No 1 (1954) With Free Gift Space Gun (lacking the 6 Flying Saucer bullets). Including The Tiger Album of Football Club Badges (24th September 1960), Tiger Album of Modern Sports Cars of the World (1962) (8 of the 16 colour phots attached). The Tiger No 1 mini giveaway free gift (22nd Sept 1979). The 1954 No 1 has had its staples removed to prevent further rust marks
  • Tiger No 1 (1954) With Free Gift Space Gun (lacking the 6 Flying Saucer bullets). Including The Tiger Album of Football Club Badges (24th September 1960), Tiger Album of Modern Sports Cars of the World (1962) (8 of the 16 colour phots attached). The Tiger No 1 mini giveaway free gift (22nd Sept 1979). The 1954 No 1 has had its staples removed to prevent further rust marks
  • Tiger No 1 (1954) With Free Gift Space Gun (lacking the 6 Flying Saucer bullets). Including The Tiger Album of Football Club Badges (24th September 1960), Tiger Album of Modern Sports Cars of the World (1962) (8 of the 16 colour phots attached). The Tiger No 1 mini giveaway free gift (22nd Sept 1979). The 1954 No 1 has had its staples removed to prevent further rust marks

Above: Tiger No 1 (1954) With Free Gift Space Gun (lacking the 6 Flying Saucer bullets). Including The Tiger Album of Football Club Badges (24th September 1960), Tiger Album of Modern Sports Cars of the World (1962) (8 of the 16 colour phots attached). Plus the Tiger No 1 mini giveaway free gift (cover dated 22nd September 1979)

There’s bound to be some fierce bidding on the first 50 Commando war comics on offer in this auction from the 1960s, some in exceptionally high grades, with an early board of “Heros the Spartan” for Eagle, painted and signed by Frank Bellamy on sale, too. 

  • Commando No. 1 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 2 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 3 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 4 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 5 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 6 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 7 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 8 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 9 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 10 and 11 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 13 and 14 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 15 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 16 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 17 and 18 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 19 and 20 (DC Thomson)
  • Commando No. 21 and 22 (DC Thomson)

Romance, adventure and pop titles include strong runs of MartyMirabellePrincessRomeoValentine and Solo, with all its 31 issues. The highest grade ever offered of TV Century 21 No. 1 is also on offer, with its free gift Secret Agent Identicode card, unwritten and pristine. 

  • Diana 1 (1963) Bright cover, 1" lower spine split, small crossword filled in [vg+]. With Cherie 1 (1960) with margin foxing to cover and horizontal mail fold
  • Diana 1 (1963) Bright cover, 1" lower spine split, small crossword filled in [vg+]. With Cherie 1 (1960) with margin foxing to cover and horizontal mail fold
  • Marilyn (1955-59) 1955: 31, 32, 33 including free gift Frankie Vaughan's Book of Songs for Sweethearts. 1956: 43, 45, 80, 1957: 6 issues between 110-134. 1958: 25 issues between 148-195 including No 182 With Free Gift, Frankie Vaughan's Lucky Little Topper Pin, 1959: 199-223 and 14 issues between Aug 29-Dec 29 including issue cover dated 17th October With Free Gift, Anthony Newley EP record with his photo on the back. Most issues with cream pages and rusty disintegrated staples. 11 issues
  • Mirabelle No 1 (1956) With Free Gift - David Whitfield's Star Songbook. Printed signature photograph and Fan Club Membership Card
  • Lindy (1975) 1-20 Complete run with Lindy Summer Special (1975, the only one issued) No 1 With Free Gift. Horror and adventure stories: The House of Fear, Hard Days for Hilda, The Pointing Finger and Defiant Daisy. With Lindy's Letter Box, Pop-pins questions, Quick Cook (this week: Prawn Cocktail) and Penny Crayon by Peter Maddox
  • Lindy (1975) 1-20 Complete run with Lindy Summer Special (1975, the only one issued) No 1 With Free Gift. Horror and adventure stories: The House of Fear, Hard Days for Hilda, The Pointing Finger and Defiant Daisy. With Lindy's Letter Box, Pop-pins questions, Quick Cook (this week: Prawn Cocktail) and Penny Crayon by Peter Maddox
  • Girl, near complete run for 1951
  • Girl, near complete run for 1951
  • Misty No. 1 With Free Gift

Above: Girls comics aplenty on offer, including first issues of Cherie and Diana, Misty No. 1 With Free Gift, and a near complete run of EAGLE stablemate GIRL for 1951

  • TV Century 21 No 1 (1965) With Free Gift - Secret Agent Identicode Card (without written name or address!). Featuring Stingray, The Daleks, Fireball XL5, Supercar, My Favourite Martian and Burke's Law. The highest graded first issue ever to be offered for auction, Identicode as new
  • TV Century 21 No 1 (1965) With Free Gift - Secret Agent Identicode Card (without written name or address!). Featuring Stingray, The Daleks, Fireball XL5, Supercar, My Favourite Martian and Burke's Law. The highest graded first issue ever to be offered for auction, Identicode as new
  • TV Century 21 No 1 (1965) With Free Gift - Secret Agent Identicode Card (without written name or address!). Featuring Stingray, The Daleks, Fireball XL5, Supercar, My Favourite Martian and Burke's Law. The highest graded first issue ever to be offered for auction, Identicode as new
  • TV Century 21 No 1 (1965) With Free Gift - Secret Agent Identicode Card (without written name or address!). Featuring Stingray, The Daleks, Fireball XL5, Supercar, My Favourite Martian and Burke's Law. The highest graded first issue ever to be offered for auction, Identicode as new
  • TV Century 21 No 1 (1965) With Free Gift - Secret Agent Identicode Card (without written name or address!). Featuring Stingray, The Daleks, Fireball XL5, Supercar, My Favourite Martian and Burke's Law. The highest graded first issue ever to be offered for auction, Identicode as new

Above: TV Century 21 No 1 (1965) With Free Gift – Secret Agent Identicode Card (without written name or address!). Featuring Stingray, The Daleks, Fireball XL5, Supercar, My Favourite Martian and Burke’s Law. The highest graded first issue ever to be offered for auction by Compal, Identicode as new

  • TV Century 21 Free gift Metal Special Agent Badge with original TV 21 letter from '21' secret agent. (You sent a postal order for 1/- with TV Century 21 No 2 coupon to get the badge in 1965). The letter is rare, Badge as new
  • TV Century 21 free gift Identicode Card from No 1 (missing interior spinner) with No 2 free gift TV 21 Special Agent Stick-on Badge with four Top Secret message forms and Captain Scarlet Spectrum Shade official pass card pin badge. With Supercar card showing Cockpit Drill and Take-off Procedure to the reverse. Owner name in pen filled in where necessary

Above: Other TV 21 gems in this auction include free gifts, and a TV Century 21 Metal Special Agent Badge with original TV 21 letter from ’21’ secret agent. (You sent a postal order for 1/- with TV Century 21 No 2 coupon to get the badge in 1965). The letter is rare, badge as new

But the highlight of the1960s has to be some 1966 “Thunderbirds” original artwork drawn, painted and signed by Frank Bellamy, created in Pelikan inks.

Other art in the auction includes “Badges of the Brave“, from Lion, by Joe Colquhoun, and a framed Larry cartoon, “Rodin’s Plumber, plus Andy Pandy art by Norman Satchel, and Teddy Tail artwork by Roland Davies, alongside a Terry-Thomas panel original artwork from Film Fun, cover dated 27th July 1957 by A. T. (Bertie) Brown; and, by way of complete contrast, a “2000AD monster“, illustrated by the late Garry Leach!

  • Andy Pandy Playtime book
  • Andy Pandy Playtime book original colour artworks (1950s) by Norman Satchel for pages 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 with Playtime book
  • Andy Pandy Playtime book original colour artworks (1950s) by Norman Satchel for pages 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 with Playtime book
  • Andy Pandy Playtime book original colour artworks (1950s) by Norman Satchel for pages 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 with Playtime book
  • Andy Pandy Playtime book original colour artworks (1950s) by Norman Satchel for pages 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 with Playtime book
  • Andy Pandy Playtime book original colour artworks (1950s) by Norman Satchel for pages 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 with Playtime book

Above: Andy Pandy Playtime book, plus original colour artworks (1950s) by Norman Satchel for pages 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 of the same book

The 1970s to 1980s promote a selection of first issues with their free gifts, including the first three issues of Monster Fun; and “Charley’s War” artwork from Battle Picture Weekly by Joe Colquhoun with “Doctor Who” by John Ridgway.

  • Charley's War: 3 original artworks (1980) by Joe Colquhoun with script by Pat Mills for Battle-Action No 306 pgs 20, 22, 23 'Blue told the final part of his story of the Battle of Verdun … how two untried battalions of Senegal troops were unleashed on the Germans. Pen and in on card. 18 x 15 ins (3 artworks)
  • Charley's War: 3 original artworks (1980) by Joe Colquhoun with script by Pat Mills for Battle-Action No 306 pgs 20, 22, 23 'Blue told the final part of his story of the Battle of Verdun … how two untried battalions of Senegal troops were unleashed on the Germans. Pen and in on card. 18 x 15 ins (3 artworks)
  • Charley's War: 3 original artworks (1980) by Joe Colquhoun with script by Pat Mills for Battle-Action No 307 pgs 2-4. 'Charley and Blue had been caught by a military policeman known as the "Drag Man", who was forcing Blue to tell his story of the battle of Verdun where the French Legionnaires and their Senegalese troop allies take on the charging Boche'. Pen and ink on card. 18 x 15 ins (3 artworks)
  • Charley's War: 3 original artworks (1980) by Joe Colquhoun with script by Pat Mills for Battle-Action No 307 pgs 2-4. 'Charley and Blue had been caught by a military policeman known as the "Drag Man", who was forcing Blue to tell his story of the battle of Verdun where the French Legionnaires and their Senegalese troop allies take on the charging Boche'. Pen and ink on card. 18 x 15 ins (3 artworks)
  • Charley's War: 3 original artworks (1980) by Joe Colquhoun with script by Pat Mills for Battle-Action No 308 pgs 18-20. 'Charley Bourne was helping a deserter… a Briton from the French Foreign Legion called Blue. Charley and Blue escaped from a sinister military policeman known as the "Drag Man", but then ...'. Pen and ink on card. 18 x 15 ins (3 artworks)
  • Charley's War: 3 original artworks (1980) by Joe Colquhoun with script by Pat Mills for Battle-Action No 308 pgs 18-20. 'Charley Bourne was helping a deserter… a Briton from the French Foreign Legion called Blue. Charley and Blue escaped from a sinister military policeman known as the "Drag Man", but then ...'. Pen and ink on card. 18 x 15 ins (3 artworks)

Above: Offered across three separate lots, “Charley’s War” original artwork by Joe Colquhoun for Battle-Action No. 306, 307 and 308…

Doctor Who/Colin Baker original artwork (1985) drawn and signed by John Ridgway and the cast members including Leela (Louise Jameson) and Jeremy Bulloch (who went on to play Boba Fett in Star Wars), Tim Quin and Dicky Howett comic strip artists and writers on Doctor Who Magazine. Pen and ink on board. 17 x 12 ins
Doctor Who/Colin Baker original artwork (1985) drawn and signed by John Ridgway and the cast members including Leela (Louise Jameson) and Jeremy Bulloch (who went on to play Boba Fett in Star Wars), Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett, comic strip artists and writers on Doctor Who Magazine. Pen and ink on board. 17 x 12 ins
Doctor Who original artwork of Frobisher, a shape-shifting Whifferdil detective from the planet Zenon, alongside C.Y.R.I.L. a robot droid who first appeared in Star Wars Weekly, initially drawn by Steve Parkhouse, then John Ridgway, but featured in his own strip in Return of the Jedi. Both characters featured in the Doctor Who comic stories such as "Once Upon a Time-Lord". Art drawn and signed by John Ridgway (1985). Pen and ink on board. 11 x 8 ins
Doctor Who original artwork of Frobisher, a shape-shifting Whifferdil detective from the planet Zenon, alongside C.Y.R.I.L. a robot droid who first appeared in Star Wars Weekly, initially drawn by Steve Parkhouse, then John Ridgway, but featured in his own strip in Return of the Jedi. Both characters featured in the Doctor Who comic stories such as “Once Upon a Time-Lord”. Art drawn and signed by John Ridgway (1985). Pen and ink on board. 11 x 8 ins

There’s no slouching from ComPal in the US section of this auction, either, with some fine examples of bot cents and pence copies of key comics, and some strangely titled ones, too!

Plenty of item to savour – and we’re just scratching the surface of what’s on offer in this post!

•  Click here for the main page for the catalogue. You can place realtime bids at the-saleroom.com. Click here to place realtime bids at the-saleroom.com | Auction closes on Sunday 31st August 2025 from 2.00 pm

Postal bids need to be with ComPal by Friday 29th August and they will enter them on your behalf in thesaleroom.com/Comic Book Auctions website closing on Sunday 31st August 2025 from 2.00 pm



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