Comics Weirdest Panels in the #LicafLive Spotlight!

By John Freeman on October 6, 2020

This bizarre panel appeared in Hi-Yo Silver #22, published in the US by Dell in 1957. Script by Gaylord DuBois, art by Tom Gill — *This bizarre panel appeared in* Hi-Yo Silver #22, published in the US by Dell in 1957. Script by Gaylord DuBois, art by Tom Gill

As part of this year’s virtual Lakes International Comics Art Festival – #LicafLive – this weekend, 9th – 11th October 2020, the team have been collecting some of the most bizarre, disturbing, accidentally hilarious and just plain wrong comics panels and covers that have ever appeared in print – some British.

Now, the “Weirdest Comic Book Panels of All Time” are all yours to enjoy, over on the LICAF Facebook Page – and while many of these “Comics out of Context” examples are bizarre scenes from US titles, this gallery of the weird includes “Captain Caution“, drawn by Ron Smith, featured here on downthetubes, a character created for British Rail to promote rail safety; and a very odd 1978 cover of Tiger and Scorcher, featuring wrestler Johnny Cougar.

British Rail's "Captain Caution" appeared in a railway safety leaflet released in 1985. Art by Ron Smith — *British Rail’s “Captain Caution” appeared in a railway safety leaflet released in 1985. Art by Ron Smith*

Tiger and Scorcher - cover dated 29th April 1978. Perhaps Johnny Cougar's strangest appearance... — Tiger and Scorcher – cover dated 29th April 1978. Perhaps Johnny Cougar’s strangest appearance…

The cover of Amazing-Man Comics #5, published in September 1939 by US publisher Centaur. Some Centaur characters have been revived in recent years by Dynamite Entertainment under their Project Superpowers title — *The cover of* Amazing-Man Comics #5, published in September 1939 by US publisher Centaur. Some Centaur characters have been revived in recent years by Dynamite Entertainment under their Project Superpowers title

During the Festival – taking place this weekend online, and totally for free – you’ll be treated to a collection of humorous, infantile, and some most definitely not politically correct images that have somehow wormed their way past the editors and made it into print.

Taken out of context, the inferences of some items in no way condoned by the Festival team, these comic panels are masterpieces of utter vulgarity, unintentional double entendres or just plain weirdness.

The majority of images in this exhibition were gathered from various web sources devoted to the topic, and sources were not identified.

At the end of the Festival, based in part on feedback from Festival followers on Facebook, the top three weirdest panels of all time will be chosen for a special tribute.

Comics out of context has long been an internet favourite of course, with the British “Weird Retro” (archived here on Wayback Machine) a major player in disseminating the strangest of imagery at one time. There’s Comics out of Context Page here on Facebook, a similarly titled group here, and a Twitter account you can follow, too – among others!

• Check out “The Weirdest Comic Book Panels of All Time” here on the LICAF Facebook Page

The Festival does not condone the content of some images in any way

John Freeman

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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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.

‹ Crowdfunding Spotlight: Tripwire Magazine Returns!

Creating Comics: An Interview with new Commando writer Colin Maxwell ›

Categories: British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, US Comics