Legendary comedian Tony Hancock is back on TV this weekend, and on stage around the country, so what better way to celebrate than grab a copy of the graphic novel, Hancock: The Lad Himself by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page, published by B7 Comics?
(Yes, this a completely scurrilous plug as the editor of the project. Grab your copy from the B7 shop direct here, currently at discount, or AmazonUK here – the latter an Affiliate Link).
BBC4 are planning to show the sixth series of Hancock’s Half Hour from Tuesday 8th October, starting with “The Cold” featuring the wonderful Patricia Hayes and her magic twig!
In the episode, Hancock is suffering with a cold, and none of his remedies seem to work. In desperation, he listens to Sid, who recommends a keep fit course to keep him healthy.
The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society report BBC4 appear to be planning to show ten episodes, let’s hope that’s the case. Some episodes of the Hancock’s Half Hour are also available on BBC iPlayer, including, currently, “The Blood Donor”.
Meanwhile, Rewind TV, the destination channel for curated classic TV, are showing remastered surviving episodes of the underrated 1963 Hancock ATV series at 8.00pm on Sunday evenings. It’s available on Freeview 95 and Sky 190. Apologies to overseas members, unless you have a very large aerial!
Plus, let’s not forget the current tour of the stage play, Hancock’s Half Hour: The Lost TV Episodes, from the award-winning Lincolnshire based professional theatre company Hambledon Productions, founded by Rachael and John Hewer. The show recreates three, ‘lost’ episodes from the original television series missing from the BBC archives, including “The Bequest”, “The Auction” and “The Russian Prince”.
This UK Tour marks the very first time these hilarious scripts have been brought to life since their original broadcast.
Commemorating 100 years of Tony Hancock, and 70 years of Hancock’s Half Hour, take a trip to 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam and join Kenneth, Hattie, Sid and ‘The Lad Himself’ for three classic TV episodes of this ground-breaking, timeless comedy.
For those who came in late… With a foreword by author and Private Eye journalist, Louis Barfe, Hancock – The Lad Himself by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page tells the story of the legendary comedian in words, pictures, and not without a few interruptions from The Lad Himself, who proves to be a little infuriated at how his story is told… as those who know and love his work would fully expect!
You can read the first chapter right here on downthetubes, reproduced with permission
Tony Hancock somehow seems a natural subject for a comic – and, of course, he’s been in them before. At the height of his television fame, he appeared in Britain’s top-selling weekly, Film Fun. Since his death, he’s been the subject of biographies, radio dramas, and even a couple of television films. With the advent of satellite TV and DVD, he seems to be everywhere!
This funny, powerful and poignant graphic novel charts the life of the often troubled comedian with searing honesty but great affection – with Hancock contributing acerbic commentary in the telling. It’s a unique approach to recounting Hancock’s life story – as you would expect when dealing with such an extraordinary talent, whose enduring appeal is testament to his comedy genius.
“The good, the bad, and ugly of Hancock are duly and stylishly offered to present a man who delighted millions, but tragically never himself,” enthuses Frank Plowright in his review of the graphic novel on Slings and Arrows.
• Grab your copy of Hancock: The Lad Himself from the B7 shop direct here, currently at discount, or AmazonUK here – the latter an Affiliate Link
• You can read the first chapter of Hancock: The Lad Himself right here on downthetubes, reproduced with permission
• Hancock’s Half Hour: The Lost TV Episodes – tour dates and show information
- About the Author
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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.
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