The return of Garth - and Shako?

Strangely non-trumpted by The Mirror, this month saw the long awaited revival of Garth.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/fun-games/cartoons/garth/

Hmmmm... what to think?

Pro: Of course its brilliant that the big fella's back,

Con: but kinda wish it was in the actual paper than only online.

Pro: Reads very well and the character's captured nicely,

Con: would've preferred the 4 panel strip rather than a whole page.

Pro: Nice that they've gone back to the pre-WW2 origin

Con: but personally, i'd prefer the barrel-chested time traveller meeting melon chested damsels in distress.

The above makes me out to be rather ungrateful, but really i'm not. I'm pleased as punch he's back, it reads well, the art is very good (IS that Shako's great great grandfather?) and i hope its a success - and i look forward to the inevitable graphic novel.

But part of me that's reading it is the me that grew up on the Bellamy/Asbury version, cutting each strip out daily and pasting it in scrapbooks and therefore is always comparing.

I know there's no comparison - unless it does into the paper in strip format and the artist becomes a B/A clone.

Nice interview here over on Down The Tubes:

http://www.downthetubes.net/features/comics_characters/garth/new_garth2008.html

Action - 11th Sept 1976

First up, massive HUGE apols for anyone popping back here to look for an update but finding nowt.

Been real busy with my modelling hobby, as a look over there will attest.

Anyway, kinda modelled out today so i picked a back issue out at random for a bit of a change.

And here we are back with Action.

Only just a month away from the ban - and you can see portents already.

First strip inside from the fab, groovy cover is the first episode of "Kids Rule Ok". Its infamous now for its ultraviolence, as you can see here from the very first page, but even though i was a 14 year-old it didn't appeal to me at all. Just found it a nasty, shoddy tale.

Still think that today.

Moving through, we come to "Dredger", who's art has improved immeasurably compared to previous issues. Classic moment here - Dredger and Breed are trapped on a train and their hostage has copped it. They need to get out, bluffing it with Breed impersonating the stiff. When he points out to Dredger he doesn't look anything like him, this is the Man's response.

Classic!

Final thing of note. Hookjaw's good guy finally goes up against the beastie and loses in the most graphic way. Strong stuff, despite the shoddy art. If this was an issue looked at while debating the whole "has it gone too far?" issue, it was sure presenting a stong case in favour.