“Ring Raiders” art by Sandy James offered for sale

By John Freeman on March 27, 2026 • ( 0 )

Who remembers Fleetway’s short-lived Ring Raiders comic, published back in 1989? There’s a page of art from the comic currently up for sale on Catawiki, the artist unidentified by the seller, but clearly the work of British comic artist Sandy James.

Sandy James many credits not only include Ring Raiders but strips such as “Johnny Cougar” (for Tiger), “Black Patch the Wonder Horse”, “S.O.S. Special Operations Squad” and work for titles such as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles Adventures, MASK, and Super Naturals.

As we’ve previously recounted, Ring Raiders were created by toy car makers Matchbox, in partnership with Those Characters From Cleveland (perhaps better known for the Care Bears, My Pet Monster, and Popples). It was a toyline consisting primarily of small plastic toy planes mounted on plastic rings via a detachable display stand, the stands allowing the aircraft a small degree of mobility.

Ring Raiders Issue 1 - cover dated 16th September 1989 - art by Ian Kennedy - without free gift

Ring Raiders Issue 2 - cover dated 30th September - 13th October 1989 - art by Ian Kennedy

Fleetway published an eponymous fortnightly comic based on the toy line, edited by Barrie Tomlinson lasting just six issues, launched in 1989 with a mini-comic given away free with other boys comics of the time; featuring strips drawn by artists such as John Cooper, Sandy James, Ian Kennedy and Carlos Pino.

A Special that wrapped storylines left hanging after the title’s abrupt cancellation was also published.

Introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, Matchbox is now owned by Mattel, Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997. Any reprint of this material would have to be negotiated with them.

• Check out the art for sale on Catawiki here

• downthetubes: Who Remembers “Ring Raiders” comic?

• Do head over to Philip Boyce’s fantastic Oink! blog and check out his features on Ring Raiders, and many more comics you may remember from your childhood, especially OiNK, of course! His Ring Raiders features include a multi-part look at the ultra rare “style guide” used to develop the comic.

• Read his introductory article to Ring Raiders comic here

• Ring Raiders checklist on Comic Vine

• Richard Sheaf’s Ring Raiders cover checklists on Boys Adventure Comics

• Blog of Doom – Animated Series guide

• Virtual Toy Chest – Ring Raiders toys checklist

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.