Have you had a listen to The Funny Comics Fan Club, a new podcast from humour comic fans Mark Hibbett and John Dredge?
It’s early days for the podcast, where Mark and John discuss funny comics, one at a time, but three episodes in, with a mention in the Radio Times under its belt, the pair are clearly having great fun, starting with a look at a look at a 1979 issue of IPC’s Jackpot (cover dated 1st December 1979), an issue featuring “The Incredible Sulk”, “Angel’s Proper Charlies”, the chance to win your own weight in crisps and much much more, all for just 10p.
Episode Two centres on a 1983 issue of DC Thomson’s Nutty (No. 187, cover dated 10th September 1983), featuring “Bananaman”, “Nip and Rrip, Sports Fan” and a surprising amount of crocodiles, and the latest episode, a 1978 issue of Whoopee! (cover dated 7th January 1978) featuring the brilliant “Sweeny Toddler”, “Super Mum”, “Scared Stiff Sam” and an examination of Umberto Eco’s theory of the Oneiric Climate!
As you’ll have guessed by now, it’s a glorious nostalgia fest for humour comics of the past and why shouldn’t it be? Great fun all the way!
If you’re a “Sweeny Toddler” fan by the way, don’t forget that back in 2021, Rebellion released The Tom Paterson Collection, which features some of Tom’s outstanding colour and black and white strip work for IPC/Fleetway from titles like Buster, Whoopee!, Jackpot, Whizzer & Chips and Oink!, amongst others. With quotes from the man himself and some extra, added treasures, this is a must have for fans of British humour comics both young and old!
• Check out The Funny Comics Fan Club here on Podbean – and here’s a trailer, where Mark and John Mark and John try their best to explain what on earth The Funny Comics Fan Club is all about!
Get in touch with Mark and John by email at dredgehibbett@gmail.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, X or Bluesky to get regular updates and to see images of the strips they’re talking about
Nutty © DC Thomson
Jackpot, Whoopee! © Rebellion Publishing Ltd
- About the Author
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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: Audio, British Comics, Comics, Digital Media, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Podcasts
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