The Pirates Of Pangaea Return - In Phoenix #79

Don't miss this week's Phoenix as it brings with it the first episode of the latest series of Pirates of Pangaea - an adventure strip that has had several stories since the first issue, and is probably one of the most popular strips in the comic. The strip is written by Daniel Hartwell and illustrated by Neill Cameron.

There's a whole lot of other stuff in there too, and all for a reasonable price of £2.99 - so go grab yourself a copy now!

Comic Crossovers - The Bash Street Kids meet Colonel Crackpot's Circus

Comic Crossovers are always fun, and here's one where Leo Baxendale's Bash Street Kids meet Malcolm Judge's Colonel Crackpot's Circus. This particular crossover appeared in the 1962 Beano book, and the artist is Leo Baxendale but basing some characters on Malcolm Judge's style. 

75 Years Of The Beano - Part 2

Welcome to part two of my series of posts celebrating the 75th birthday of The Beano, which happens on the 30th, so is just weeks away! 

I can't celebrate 75 years of the Beano without showing something from the magnificent Ken Reid, so here's a Jonah strip from 1962, and a Roger the Dodger strip from the same issue.

The Bash Street Kids are also significant characters in the Beano. Here are two examples, one by their creator Baxendale and one by David Sutherland.

More comic chaos coming soon!

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Other posts in this series:

Part 1:

http://www.wackycomics.com/2013/06/75-years-of-beano-part-1.html

Part 3:

http://www.wackycomics.com/2013/07/75-years-of-beano-part-3.html

The Digital Dandy Dies

Well the week turns from bad to worse as alongside Mushka the Digital Dandy has also died. It ended with issue #13, last week's issue being the last.

#13 - the last issue.

It hasn't ended completely as the annuals will continue as they sell well, but this looks like the end for this great comic. For the digital version the Dandy team tried their hardest but it didn't work, and the random relaunch back to issue #1 couldn't have helped, but I applaud them for their efforts nonetheless.

It doesn't seem to be a very good time for comics at the moment as first the BeanoMax ended and now this, but hopefully the promised Dennis and Gnasher Megazine will make up for the loss, and we've still got the Beano's 75th birthday to look forwards to.

Although I've got a few posts just about ready to publish this blog might be quiet for the next few weeks as after the sudden death of Mushka I don't ever really seem to be in the mood to write.

R.I.P Mushka - 2001 - 2013

Mushka, meaning 'Little Fly'.

Every day the cat in the photo above would visit us. It wasn't our cat, but we knew her owners well and we'd welcome her into our house (apparently cats do this a lot around here). Her name was Mushka, and she was a 12-year-old British Blue. She was a very friendly cat who would love company and cuddles, particularly in-between the eyes and underneath the chin.

Last week we didn't see her for two days and she came to our house on Wednesday with a limp. We took her to her owners' house the next day and they were going to take her to the vets. She escaped, and we saw her on Friday, and she stayed with us all night (!) until Saturday, so I saw her that morning. I wasn't at home Saturday night (and now I really wish I had been), but when I got back Sunday she wasn't here, as she must have gone home to get fed. We didn't see her this morning (Tuesday), and at about 7:25am we got a text from her owners saying that she'd been put to sleep the night before (they'd sent the text the previous day, but the reception is bad around here).

Unfortunately she had cancer, and all her teeth would have had to be pulled out and it would take weeks of antibiotics until she was cured, and they were unsure what was wrong with her leg. She was a very independent cat and this would all have been very stressful, so they decided putting her to sleep was best for her.

She was a great, lovely and friendly cat, who always kept me company and was constantly happy. I even incorporated her into Episode 13 of Graham's Onions (click here to read it), and she was due to become a main character in upcoming episodes!

One day I was locked out of the house and so just sat outside all day, stroking her an petting her, and she sat with me until I could get inside (and she followed me in). She was a happy cat and even with the injured leg she was always purring and always looked happy.

Bye Mushka, I'll miss you.