A page of art from the series “Tess of the Texas Moon” for the girls comic Princess, by the British comic artist Colin Merrett, perhaps best known for his work on boys adventure titles such as Sun and Comet and, later, girls comics such as Bunty and Tammy, is up for sale on eBay.
Born 14th October 1912 Colin, also known as Colin Merritt (it’s not clear why), who died in March 2005, had a long and varied career in British comics, his earliest known work for titles such as Joker and Illustrated Chips, published before World War Two. He worked for a variety of publishers after the conflict, for smaller publishers such as P.M. (on titles that included Funny Comic, Star Flash Comic and Look & Laugh, and Amex publications, on A Classic in Pictures and Flash; while continuing to work for Amalgamated Press drawing strips such as his longest-running serial, “‘Paul Power and his Speed Shell”, for Illustrated Chips.
The Lambiek Comiclopedia notes that when many of the small publishers disappeared in the 1950s, Merrett returned to AP, where he contributed to the Super Detective Library, Thriller Picture Library (drawing “Battler Britton” stories, among other things) and the Cowboy Comics Library, and drew “Buffalo Bill” and “Billy the Kid” for Sun and Comet, then moving to Look and Learn and IPC’s girls’ titles, including Princess (on strips including “Tess of the Texas Moon”), its successor, Princess Tina (on strips such as “Chairman Cherry“) and, later, Tammy.
He was one of the artists to work on comic strips based on Raphael Sabatini’s pirate novel Captain Blood, although none were included in the excellent first collection of the series published by The Book Palace last year. (The Illustration Art Gallery has a number of pages by Merrett for sale from this series, as well as examples of his other work).
He also drew strips on a number of annuals for both IPC and Martspress, including titles such as Pixie (1975). In the 1980s he found work with DC Thomson, drawing strips including “Belle of the Ball” for Bunty, and continued working into the 1990s.
Offered by Comic Art Fans member Hoxton Arcades, trading on eBay as bygrandcentralstation, is a page of “Tess of the Texas Moon“, a story first published in Princess in 1960, in the issue cover dated 2nd April 1960, centring on Tess Hardy, who moves from New York to Texas to run a ranch inherited from her grandfather.
Tess quickly has to prove herself as a cowgirl and ranch manager – and peacekeeper, trying to broker peace between the ranch owners and a tribe of Comanche living nearby, after befriending Black Hawk, son of the tribe’s chief. It ran from the issues cover dated 30th January to 2nd July 1960.
At a price of £80 for a rather fine example of Merrett’s work, you may just want to check it out before it’s gone, pardner…
• Colin Merrett: Lambiek Comiclopedia
• Colin Merrett: Book Palace Profile | Art for sale
• Hoxton Arcades Gallery Rooms on Comic Art Fans
• UK Comics Wiki: Colin Merrett
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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: Art and Illustration, British Comics, Comic Art, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds
In Memoriam: Cartoonist Peter Maddocks 
Get ready to celebrate National Illustration Day! 
Unsung Heroes of Illustration celebrated by artist Pete Beard 
JMB: The Unseen Art of John M. Burns, coming in 2025 from Book Palace Books