Sporting comic strip legend Alf Tupper is back in today’s Mirror newspaper in a new adventure written by Ferg Handley and drawn by comics veteran Barrie Mitchell, to celebrate this year’s Bupa Great North Run.
Working-class, chips-addicted hero Alf appeared in DC Thomson’s boys’ comics The Victor and The Rover for over 50 years as he took on and beat snooty opponents with his catchphrase “I’ve run ’em”.
The Tough of the Track has been revived in a new and exclusive story featuring a surprise guest, coming out of retirement for the Run with help from his new training partner – Ethiopian superstar Haile Gebrselassie.
The strip will run online tomorrow, after its debut in the print edition. Grab a copy before it’s wrapped around tonight’s fish and chip suppers.
Prion Books are publishing A Best of Alf Tupper collection next month, celebrating The Tough of the Track – The Victor‘s most popular hero, instilling the competitive spirit into millions of British lads for over 50 years.
A welder who worked under railway arches, Alf Tupper survived on a diet of fish and chips. He was always the underdog, running against posh toffs who devised underhand ways of keeping him off the winner’s rostrum. Although Alf often looked beaten, he nearly always came through in the final few strides, exclaiming “I’ve run him!” as he breasted the winning tape in a photo-finish.
Prion says this nostalgic anthology will not only be the perfect gift for the millions of men whose love of sport was kindled in their youth by Alf Tupper, but will also enthrall and inspire a new generation of boys to go and win against all the odds.
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “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.
Categories: British Comics - Newspaper Strips