Paddy Payne

The British weekly boys' comic ''Lion'' was published between 1952 and 1974 by the Amalgamated Press, Fleetway Publications and IPC.

The 10,000 Disasters of Dort

:Published: May 18, 1968, to November 23, 1968
:Writer: Mike Butterworth
:Artists: Luis Bermejo, José Ortiz
When Ratta, dictator of Dort, finds his planet has fifty years before being destroyed by its sun he identifies the Earth of 2000 as the only suitable home for his people. To force Earth into agreeing, he announces he will be unleashing ten thousand disasters on Earth. Sure enough, New York is destroyed when Ratta's technology renders all of the metal in the city unstable; Paris is made uninhabitable due to an aggressive alien weed; Melbourne is overran by enlarged animals; tea is used to most of the population of London are transformed into violent maniacs; incredible weaponry is given to the savage Jamali tribesmen of central Arabia; all electricity on Earth is temporarily removed; a brief ice age freezes the English Channel; Germany is overran by a plague of ants; thousands are blinded by an artificial sun; and 90% of the remaining population reduced to a bestial state by tainted wheat. Opposing Ratta is Britain's top scientist Mike Dauntless, aided by French orphan Gaston.
* The story was reprinted in ''Lion'' from December 22, 1973, to May 18, 1974; this second run featured a modified conclusion so the story finished before the merger with ''Valiant''. In 2023, Rebellion Developments produced a trade paperback containing the entire serial as part of their Treasury of British Comics series of collected editions.

Adam Eterno

:Published: March 20, 1971, to May 18, 1974
After quaffing the Elixir of Life, Adam Eterno is doomed to immortality and drifts through time trying to find a solid gold weapon that can kill him.
* Inherited from '' Thunder'' and continued in ''Valiant'' until the latter was merged with '' Battle''

The Amazing Adventures of Mister X

:Published: March 7, 1953, to October 17, 1959
:Writers: Edward R. Home-Gall
A globetrotting hero helps out the helpless with jujitsu and expert shooting skills, keeping his identity a secret to ward off reprisals.
* Originally an illustrated text story, before a switch to comic strip format from August 23, 1958. The character is no relation to the earlier strip " The Amazing Mr. X" from DC Thomson's '' The Dandy''.

The Amazing Jack Wonder

:Published: February 5, 1966, to May 28, 1966
:Artist: Bill Lacey
Sailor Captain Jack Wonder gets caught up in a civil war in tropical banana republic Losana. Used as a guinea pig by evil scientist Varan, he is accidentally given the ability to change into any object. Breaking free, he and his chirpy first mate 'Lofty' Locke overthrow the country's dictator Quantro. Later, the pair signed up to the RAF and fought the Nazis.

Andy's Army

:Published: September 28, 1968, to April 26, 1969
Wanting to emulate his father, a Colonel in the British Army, 14-year old Andy springs a trio of prisoners from the brig and heads behind German lines to fight a guerrilla war.

Big Hank – The Soft-Hearted Heavyweight

:Published: February 23, 1952, to June 28, 1952
:Writer: Duncan Matheson
Honduran circus strongman Hank tries to launch a career as a heavyweight boxer with the aid of friend and acrobat Tich Wilson. While Hank has the strength for the sport he is held back by his reluctance to actually hit anyone without provocation.

Billy the Kid

:Published: November 7, 1959, to April 23, 1960
:Artist: Fred Holmes
Lone avenger William Bonney and his steed Satan hunt down wrong-doers in the Old West.
* The only strip continued from '' Sun'' after the merger. The story was later edited and reprinted as "The Black Avenger" in '' Hurricane''.

Black Max

:Published: 20 March 1971 to 21 October 1972
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper
:Artist: Alfonso Font
Baron Maximilien Von Klorr is Germany's most fearsome ace pilot of World War I – partly due to being helped by a gigantic bats. With his Fokker Dr.I painted black, he soon earns the nickname Black Max. His opposition comes from the Royal Flying Corps, particularly plucky Lieutenant Tim Wilson.
* Inherited from '' Thunder''. The supporting character of Doktor Gratz would later spin off into " Secrets of the Demon Dwarf".

Boy Kidd

:Published: June 11, 1966, to July 16, 1966
:Writer: René Goscinny
:Artist: Morris
A town at the mercy of juvenile outlaw Boy Kidd is offered salvation by louche travelling gunslinger Buck Bingo.
* Modified reprints of " Lucky Luke" from '' Spirou''; continued from the short-lived '' The Champion'' revival.

Brett Marlowe

:Published: February 23, 1952, to July 24, 1954
:Writer: John Fordice
A private investigator, Brett Marlowe is an expert in detective work and frequently unravelled cases with only the smallest of clues, before bringing miscreants down in a two-fisted fashion. Marlowe was assisted by his faithful chauffeur Rusty Race.
* Only made sporadic appearances. For the majority of the strip, "cases" lasted a single two-page episode, though later some serial stories were created.

Britain AD2170

:Published: July 25, 1970, to March 13, 1971
:Artist: Solano López
After a five-year mission in space, the probe ship ''Explorer'' – crewed by astronauts Captain Vic Lacey, Doc Keelson and 'Technical Twins' Harvey and Tragg – crash on landing. Due to Earth Time and Space Time running at different speeds, they discover 200 years have passed, and the Britain of 2170 has regressed to a primitive state. The group uses the remnants of technology that still work to survive warring groups of savages – particularly the barbaric Snakemen – and strange monsters as they try to rebuild civilisation.

Bruce Kent Invites You To Spot The Clue

:Published: June 22, 1957, to May 2, 1964
Detective Bruce Kent and feckless sidekick Jim solve crimes, encouraging readers to use the same clues available to them to guess the result of the case first.
* From 1962 the strip's title was modified to the more competitive "Bruce Kent Challenges You to Spot the Clue". The interactive "spot the clue" format was later adapted for Zip Nolan.

The Can-Do Kids

:Published: October 16, 1971, to April 22, 1972
:Writers: Pat Mills, John Wagner
:Artist: Carlos Cruz, Tom Kerr
Upon leaving school four friends set their hearts on travelling around the world and begin a number of unconventional fundraising activities – much to the ire of a retired Brigadier turned local busybody.

Captain Condor

:Published: February 23, 1952, to February 26, 1966
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper
:Artist: Keith Watson, Geoff Campion, Brian Lewis
Ace pilot of the year 3000, Condor spearheaded the Space Patrol's victory over the megalomaniac Dictator after being banished to Titan. He was aided by the moon's natives, the unintelligent but amiable Geeks. This achieved, Condor led further Space Patrol missions with his customary derring-do.
* Captain Condor was created by Frank S. Pepper as a competitor to ''Eagles Dan Dare. The strip was on the front and back covers (initially the only pages featuring colour) until being ousted by " Paddy Payne" in 1957. New adventures continued until 1964, when Captain Condor switched to reprinting old adventures until ending entirely in 1966.

Carson's Cubs

:Published: September 10, 1966, to July 21, 1973
:Artists: Geoff Campion, Fred Holmes
Retiring after a glittering playing career, football legend Joe Carson takes up the management reigns of old club Newton Town, who are languished in the third division with no funds thanks to penny-pinching, asset-stripping director Arthur Braggart. Despite this Carson strives to improve the club, building a competitive side around young players like teen hotshots Andy Streak, Rocky Stone and Tiddler Smith.
* Shortly after the merger with ''Eagle'' the strip guest-starred the Circus Wanderers as opposition.

Code Name – Barracuda

:Published: September 10, 1966, to February 24, 1968
:Artist: Antonio Sciotti
Superhumanly strong United Nations special agent Barracuda and his similarly enhanced partner Rollo use an array of high-tech gadgetry to keep the world safe from American supervillain King Cobra and his criminal organisation W.A.M. (War Against Mankind).
* Barracuda and Rollo also appeared in Fleetway's ''Secret Agent'' Super Library digest series, alternating with Johnny Nero

Dan Dare

:Published: May 3, 1969, to October 24, 1970
The pilot from the future fends off the threat of Treen leader the Mekon.
* Inherited from ''Eagle''. Budget cuts had already seen the strip switch to reprints in 1967, and these continued in ''Lion''. The repeats aborted the end of the "Rogue Planet" storyline which had been running in the last ''Eagle'' to start the stint in ''Lion'' from the beginning of "Reign of the Robots". In contrast to its original colour format, the art was rendered in greyscale. After a reprint of "The Phantom Fleet" with a compressed conclusion, "Dan Dare" disappeared from Lion after October 24, 1970.

Danger Man

:Published: June 11, 1966, to September 3, 1966
:Artist: Jesús Blasco
Special agent John Drake carries out numerous hazardous missions against corrupt governments and criminal organisations.
* Uniquely among ''Lions oeuvre, "Danger Man" was a licensed strip based on the ATV television series of the same name, with the art using the likeness of star Patrick McGoohan. Years later it was crudely modified as "Matt Mason – Secret Agent" for ''Bumper Story Book for Boys''.

The Day the World Drowned

:Published: November 30, 1968, to April 26, 1969
:Artist: Ted Kearon
A colossal underwater earthquake radically alters Earth's geography. Having survived the quake in a reinforced diving vessel, research scientists Bill Sterling and Don Worth find themselves in the middle of an arid wasteland, while their brothers Jamie and Bobby have to deal with a suddenly flooded London. Reunited, the quartet search the radically changed planet for other survivors while avoiding the insane Ark-building Drage family.

Dr. Mesmer's Revenge

:Published: October 16, 1971, to October 21, 1972
:Writer: Donne Avenell
:Artist: Carlos Cruz
When thieves raid the collection of hypnotist Dr. Mesmer, he uses magical cat statue Bulbul to control 5,000-year-old mummy to punish them. His brutal methods soon see him become a feared villain.
* The strip was originally announced to be part of '' Thunders line-up but debuted in ''Lion'' after the titles were merged. Both Dr. Mesmer and Angor would reappear as villains in Rebellion Developments' '' The Vigilant''.

Drive For Your life

:Published: December 6, 1969, to January 31, 1970
:Artist: Barrie Mitchell
Balkan aristocrat and racing driver Count von Dracca is exposed as a coward and drummed out of motorsport. He spends the next five years devising a series of brutal traps and kidnaps his six old rivals – German Urich Krutz, British Roland Howard-Price, Italian Alberto Guilo and Americans 'Porkchop' Porter, 'Big Mike' Murphy and Rev Ryder – and forces them to take part in a series of racing challenges as revenge, with only one to survive.

Flame o' the Forest

:Published: February 7, 1970, to November 7, 1970
:Artist: Massimo Belardinelli
When his mummers' troupe is massacred by cruel Norman warlord the Raven in 1066, Saxon orphan Hal is taught a variety of skills by his mortally wounded uncle Sarl, enabling him to become the Flame o' the Forest, taking vengeance on the Raven and his knights.

Fleetfoot Fights the Redskin Rebels

:Published: January 7, 1956, to September 8, 1956
:Writer: R.G. Thomas
Chief Fleetfoot of the Cawlees plans to make a peace treaty with settlers but a brave named Blank Panther vehemently disagrees and starts a civil war within the tribe.

The Flying Fortress

:Published: March 31, 1973, to June 30, 1973
:Artist: Giorgio Trevisan
Two boys holidaying in Europe shelter from the rain in a sinister castle, only to find it is the mobile base of villain Doctor Skurge.

Flying Furies

:Published: April 2, 1966, to September 10, 1966
:Writer: Jean-Michel Charlier
:Artist: Albert Uderzo
Two jet pilots with contrasting personalities move through a training school.
* Modified reprints of " Tanguy et Laverdure" from '' Pilote''.

Flying Saucer Over Africa

:Published: September 3, 1955, to April 21, 1956
:Writer: Cliff Hooper
:Artist: W. R. Culver
When Professor Synton finds the ruins of a forgotten advanced civilisation in the jungles of Africa, his assistant Buloff imprisons him and uses the technology to build saucer ships, ray guns and robots. Fortunately for the natives, white cameraman Danny Malloy and his friend Ted is present to film white rhinoceros, and teams up with Mr. Zaka to combat Buloff's plans for world domination.

Frogmen Are Tough!

:Published: August 30, 1952, to June 20, 1953
:Writer: Edward R. Home-Gall
Troopers Don Drew and Nobby Pounds are tasked with tracking down a secret Italian naval base wreaking havoc on Allied Mediterranean convoys during World War II.

The Fugitive from the Planet Scror

:Published: February 7, 1970, to July 18, 1970
:Artist: Solano Lopez
After changing his mind over a Scror plan to invade Earth, shape-shifting alien Karg takes refuge on the planet, pursued by relentless enemy Groll.

Gadgetman and Gimmick-Kid

:Published: 4 May to 26 October 1968
:Writer: Jerry Siegel
:Artist: Vicente Alcázar
A costumed crimefighting duo who used an arsenal of technological devices to battle the likes of the Trickster and the Taunting Titan.

Gargan

:Published: May 3, 1969, to January 31, 1970
:Artist: Solano Lopez
Cryptid Gargan and superannuated sage Reega the Wise are kidnapped from the Himalayas by cruel American exhibitor Cash Maddack. Their friend, a boy called Rhurki, resolves to free them.

General Johnny

:Published: February 7, 1970, to March 13, 1971
:Creative Team: Ted Kearon
After his exceptional skill at wargaming is applied to real-life World War II battles, schoolboy Johnny Quick is given the rank of General and given tactical control of a chunk of the British Army.

The Gladiators

:Published: May 3, 1969, to January 31, 1970
:Artist: Ted Kearon
Six renegade gladiators on the run from Julius Caesar are transported forward in time by a sorcerer, and fit themselves in the midst of World War II.
* Inherited from ''Eagle''.

Highway Danger!

:Published: February 27, 1965, to January 1, 1966
:Artist: Bert Vandeput
Small-time racer Don Dentry wrecks his garage-built car saving the life of champion driver Milton Halder, who rewards Dentry by letting him take his place with the top team while he recuperates. However, Dentry and his loyal mechanic's big break is complicated by ongoing sabotage shenanigans within the team.

Hunters of the Tower of London Traitors

:Published: March 14, 1953, to October 17, 1953
:Writer: Ted Cowan
:Artist: Alan Philpott
Elizabethan blacksmith Dirk Selden and apprentice Hal Rudd work to counter the treasonous monarch-toppling scheme of Simon De'ath.

It's Charlie of the Chimps

:Published: May 15, 1965, to September 18, 1965
:Artist: Joe Colquhoun
As the king of the jungle has headed off for a Hollywood career, stranded airman Charlie finds himself filling the gap.

Jet Jordan

:Published: June 11, 1966, to September 3, 1966
:Writer: Jean-Michel Charlier
:Artist: Albert Weinberg
Canadian Air Force pilot Jet Jordan undertakes dangerous test missions.
* Modified reprints of "Dan Cooper" from ''Tintin''; continued from '' The Champion'' revival.

The Jigsaw Journey

:Published: March 20, 1971, to July 17, 1971
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper
:Artist: Massimo Belardinelli
Explorer Wolfgang Stranger and his young friend Tom Taylor discover they have one-ninth of a treasure map, and set out to find the other eight.
* The story was a sequel to '' Thunder'' strip " The Terrible Trail to Tolmec" and was originally planned for that title before it was merged into ''Lion''.

Jimmi from Jupiter

:Published: February 13, 1965, to September 4, 1965
:Artist: Mario Capaldi
A young boy from Jupiter gets stranded on Earth, and is taken under the wing the George Gilbert and his kindly family until he can return home. Jimmi's Gamma powers often activate at inopportune moments, placing him in danger of exposure.
* Reprinted as "The Boy From Jupiter" from October 31, 1970, to March 13, 1971.

Jingo Jones and His Invisibiliser

:Published: February 23, 1952, to July 4, 1953
:Writer: L.E. Ransome (as Tom Stirling)
Young Jingo is given an Invisibiliser by his eccentric uncle Septimus. The device produced a ray that could turn anything invisible until the reverse control was activated. Jones and best friend Bob Day used this as a boon to combat local bullies and spivs.
* Text story.

Jinks

:Published: June 25, 1966, to February 15, 1969
:Cartoonist: André Franquin
Jinks' wish to simply have some peace and quiet at home is constantly undermined by innumerable catastrophes, usually caused by one of his oddball acquaintances.
* Only made sporadic appearances. Modified version of ''Modeste et Pompon'' from ''Tintin''; continued from '' The Champion''

Johnny Dynamite

:Published: October 14, 1967, to December 23, 1967
:Artists: D'Ami Studio
Johnny embarks on a boxing career to save his family's business.
* Reprinted from '' Sun''.

Jungle Jef

:Published: October 19, 1957, to October 10, 1959
:Writer: Rex King
Raised in the jungle by animals, Jef and his 'family' – Cheeko the chimpanzee, Boko the parrot and Tusker the elephant – try to avoid getting eaten by lion Yellow fang.

Karl the Viking

:Published: October 29, 1960, to September 26, 1964
:Writer: Ted Cowan, Michael Moorcock
:Artist: Don Lawrence
Viking chieftain Eingar takes a shine to Saxon orphan Karl, taking him back to his village. When Eingar dies Karl takes up leadership of the tribe with cousin Godwulf as his right-hand man, leading them in battles to fend off the Picts, the callous Earl of Eastumbria and legendary monsters.
* The strip was initially called "The Sword of Eingar" before being renamed after the protagonist from the second story. Ken Bulmer co-created the character with Cowan and Lawrence. The complete series was collection across two volumes by Rebellion Developments as part of the Treasury of British Comics series – ''Karl the Viking Volume 1 – The Sword of Eingar'' compiled the material from October 29, 1960, to December 1, 1962; ''Karl the Viking Volume 2 – The Voyage of the Sea Raiders'' contained the strips from December 8, 1962, to September 26, 1964, as well as material from ''Lion Annual''s.

The King of Keg Island

:Published: November 14, 1970, to March 13, 1971
:Artist: Tom Kerr
Peter Cable is an orphan and is stunned when he finds a distant relative has left him the deed to Keg Island. He begins to move in to his new land along with a trio of friends from the orphanage, but former custodian Simon Lashley plans to swindle him out of his windfall.

Knuckles Nixon – The Boxing Trapper

:Published: March 22, 1958, to August 16, 1958
:Writer: Ray Marr
Fur trapper Knuckles Nixon uses his pugilistic skills to see off unwelcome visitors to Lone Pines, aided by native American friend Night Owl.
* Text story.

Larry West – Cowboy Outlaw

:Published: January 25, 1958, to October 11, 1958
:Writer: Cliff Hooper
Cowhand Larry West and Mexican pardner Pedro are forced to go on the run when they are framed for a stagecoach robbery by the corrupt Sheriff of Sunset City and the Red Diamond Gang.

The Last of the Harkers

:Published: October 16, 1971, to May 18, 1974
:Artist: John Stokes
Jug-eared Joe Harker is the sole surviving member of the Harker sporting dynasty. With help from the ghost of similarly endowed ancestor Sir Stanley Harker and his own stretchy arms, Joe is able to excel at numerous sporting events and refill the family's trophy cabinets, while rag-and-bone men Bert and Arnold Swizzle schemed to stop him so they could take over Harker Hall on the cheap.
* The story was not continued when ''Lion'' merged into ''Valiant''.

Law of the Legion

:Published: May 15, 1965, to August 7, 1965
British agent John Law goes undercover to flush out a traitor hiding in the French Foreign Legion.

Lightning Stormm

:Published: May 3, 1969, to November 29, 1969
:Writer: Ken Mennell
:Artists: Barrie Mitchell, Ian Kennedy
After being seriously injured in a crash, top racing driver Dan Stormm is wheelchair-bound and moves into team management. His team, the Slambangers, included his long-term mechanic Cappy Ricks, run young rough diamond drivers Tommy Kidd and the Boyd brothers Pete and Rod.
* A continuation of "Lightning Strikes Again" from ''Eagle''. After 12 issues the story was renamed "Tales from the Tracks", switching to a format of Stormm narrating former glories from his racing career.

Lofty Lightyear

:Published: June 11, 1966, to March 2, 1968
Professor Von Nutkaze helps a freakishly tall alien stay out of the clutches of a persistent flying saucer.
* Occasional one-page humour strip, previously featured in '' The Champion''.

The Lone Commandos

:Published: February 23, 1952, to July 26, 1952
:Writer: Edward R. Home-Gall
In 1943, Commandos Sgt. Roy Tempest and Pte. Jack Steel are tasked with a dangerous mission to destroy a German radar station in occupied France.

Lost in Limbo Land

:Published: October 13, 1973, to December 8, 1973
Writer: Chris Lowder
Artist: José Muñoz
A bookish boy is reading up on Norse mythology when a bolt of lightning transports him back to Viking times.

Lost Pals of 9 Platoon

:Published: February 6, 1954, to September 18, 1954
:Writer: Cliff Hooper
After finding themselves behind Italian lines, British soldiers Joe Dale and Shorty Brown wage a campaign of asymmetrical warfare.

Lucky Guffy

:Published: June 22, 1957, to September 10, 1960
Juvenile Guffy undertakes a variety of endeavours that initially seems to be going badly but ends up working out in his favour.
* A one-page humour strip that resided on the back cover. Later appearances were more spasmodic.

Maroc the Mighty

:Published: May 8, 1965, to June 4, 1966
:Writer: Michael Moorcock
:Artist: Don Lawrence
On his journey home to from the Crusades in the 13th century, John Maroc discovers the ancient bracelet of Sun Warrior Zar. The Hand of Zar makes him invulnerable and superhumanly strong when the bangle is in sunlight, helping him fight his way back towards his home in Devon.
* "Maroc the Mighty" was devised as a replacement for "#Karl the Viking, Karl the Viking", and was initially called "The Hand of Zar". The story was reprinted from October 3, 1970, to March 6, 1971.

Marooned Shipmates of Shark Island

:Published: September 28, 1957, to March 1, 1958
:Writer: Ray Marr
After getting shipwrecked on an island surrounded by shark-infested waters, Jerry Morgan and two other survivors – Irish stoker Conner O'Conner and Aboriginal Australians, Aborigine Bingo – try to make the deserted landmass habitable as they await rescue.
* A text story which incorporated detailed explanations of survival and scouting tips for readers.

Marty Wayne

:Published: July 7, 1973, to May 18, 1974
:Artist: Fred Holmes
Wannabe TV star Marty Wayne's Ventriloquism, ventriloquist skills and uncanny Impressionist (entertainment), impressions land him a surprise role as an agent of MI5.
* The story was not continued after the merger with ''Valiant''.

Masters of Menace

:Published: September 22, 1973, to May 18, 1974
:Artist: John Catchpole
After escaping death and being inadvertently rescued by Nick Dexter and Ron Redding, Professor Krait seeks out Ezra Creech and the pair pool their resources in a bid for world conquest.
* Featuring a team-up between the villains from "#Shadow of the Snake, Shadow of the Snake" and "#White Eyes, White Eyes". The story was not continued after the merger with ''Valiant''.

Max Malone of the Secret Service

:Published: August 24, 1957, to October 10, 1959
:Writer: Trevor Hugh
Special agent Max Malone and sidekick Hitch Hall frustrate the machinations of the Japanese in World War II.
* A text story.

The Mind Stealers

:Published: December 28, 1968, to April 26, 1969
:Artist: Tom Kerr
Schoolboys Steve Smith and Bob Jones investigate a haunted mansion, only to find it full of alien blobs who can control minds. The rest of the village rapidly falls under their control as the lads try to raise the alarm.

Morg of the Mammoths

:Published: October 19, 1963, to January 18, 1964
:Artist: Harry Bishop
Neolithic tribesman Morg is banished from his village after refusing to kill a mammoth. Once out in the tundra, Morg finds himself adopted by the mammoth, who he names Karga.

Mowser

:Published: February 22, 1964, to May 18, 1974
:Cartoonist: Reg Parlett
In Crummy Castle sly, supine housecat Mowser constantly comes out on top in struggles with his nemesis James the Butler.
* Humour strip; initially half a page, but up to the full back page by 1966. By the seventies, the strip often absent or using reprints.

Murphy's Magic Mauler

:Published: November 23, 1968, to April 26, 1969
:Artist: Solano López
Gullible Cowboy, cowpoke Joe Murphy believes himself to be in possession of a magic belt. He isn't, but a combination of his increased confidence and good luck mean things tend to work out for him anyway, and Murphy is unflinching in his faith in the pants-retainer.

Oddball Oates

:Published: May 3, 1969, to November 7, 1970
:Writer: Donne Avenell
:Artist: Tom Kerr
Weedy botanist Albert Oates discovers a Performance-enhancing substance, formula that transforms his body into an athletic marvel. He uses this to win numerous sporting events while keeping his secret formula out of the hands of evil-doers led by Doctor Vulpex.

Operation Fire-Mountain

:Published: February 26, 1955, to August 27, 1955
:Writer: Rex King
:Artist: Peter Gallant
Max Steel and a group of Demobilization, demobbed Commandos investigate the mysterious Fire-Mountain Island at the behest of the Secret Service.

Paddy Payne

:Published: July 27, 1957, to March 13, 1971
:Writers: Mark Ross, Val Holding
:Artists: Joe Colquhoun, Bill Lacey, Ian Kennedy
RAF pilot Paddy Payne and his trusty wingman Dick 'Dicko' Smith defend the skies. Payne was a talented aircraft racer before the war, and served in the Battle of Britain flying a Supermarine Spitfire, Spitfire. By 1942 Payne was a Squadron Leader and 'troubleshooter', shipped from unit to unit for tricky missions. Later Paddy's number two became the eager but luckless Pete Prendergast.

Payne's role serve in many theatres. In Europe, he was involved defending England from Luftwaffe bombers and V-1 flying bomb, V-1s; Pathfinder (RAF), pathfinding for bombing missions to Germany; protecting the English Channel from U-Boats before bombing their pens in Kiel; sinking the battleship ''German battleship Tirpitz, Tirnhorst'' in a Norwegian fjord; defending Malta; working with Partisan (military), partisans to liberate Yugoslavia; thwarting crack Luftwaffe hunter-killer unit the Double Eagles; destroying secret German weapons like the Bachem Ba 349 Natter, Viper rocket-fighter and old racing opponent Von Engel's dirigible-mounted Sun-Gun, aiding the French Resistance and capturing Field marshal Reichstag. In the Middle East, he supported the Eighth Army (United Kingdom), Eighth Army from Cairo ahead of the Battle of Alam el Halfa, Battle of Alamein, while in the Pacific he was responsible for frustrating a Japanese invasion of India from a Royal Navy battlegroup centered on aircraft carrier HMS ''Swiftsure'', and leading a squadron of raw recruits against Japanese ace Major Kimura over the Coral Sea.

While initially seen in a Spitfire (including a fictional float-equipped version that suffered no significant loss of performance), Paddy's missions took in a wide variety of planes – his logbook contained Bristol Beaufighter, Beaufighter, Avro Lancaster, Lancaster, De Havilland Mosquito, Mosquito, Grumman F4F Wildcat, Wildcat, Grumman TBF Avenger, Avenger, Vought OS2U Kingfisher, Kingfisher, Hawker Hurricane, Hurricane, Short Sunderland, Sunderland, Blackburn Skua, Skua, Curtiss SO3C Seamew, Seamew, Consolidated PBY Catalina, Catalina, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Kittyhawk, North American P-51 Mustang, Mustang, Avro Anson, Anson, Airspeed Horsa, Horsa, Hawker Typhoon, Typhoon, Vickers Wellington, Wellington, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Helldiver, Hawker Tempest, Tempest, Westland Lysander, Lysander, Arsenal-Delanne 10, Martin B-26 Marauder, Marauder, Boulton Paul Defiant, Defiant, Nieuport 17 and Gloster Gladiator, Gladiator types. Paddy's ability to end up behind enemy lines also saw him try his hand with captured Axis aircraft, including a Messerschmitt Bf 109, Bf 109, a Messerschmitt Bf 110, Bf 110, a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero, SM.79, a Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Fw 190, a Junkers Ju 87, Stuka, a Dornier Do 26, Do 26, a Junkers Ju 88, Ju 88 and even an experimental German helicopter.
* The stories did not always run in chronological order – for example, the first serial took place in 1942, while one set during the Battle of Britain was run years later. From 1957 Paddy Payne took over the colour cover of ''Lion'' until 1964. In 1967 the strip stopped while features from '' The Champion'' were incorporated before returning in 1968 and running for another year.

The Phantom Viking

:Published: 11 June 1966, to 3 August 1968
:Writer: Donne Avenell
:Artist: José Ortiz, Nevio Zeccara
Nebbish teacher Olaf Larson finds a mystical helmet belonging to one of his Norsemen, Norse antecedents at a Norse funeral, Viking burial site. Donning the headgear gave him the ability to turn into the mighty Phantom Viking – a popular hero, in contrast to the awkward teacher mocked as "Loopy Larson" by his Woodburn School pupils. The Phantom Viking's only weakness was that his powers would disappear when the a south wind blew. Despite his pronounced general air of weakness, Larsen attracted sympathy from beautiful secretary Helen Yates.
* The strip was inherited from the short-lived revival of '' The Champion'', where it had debuted on 26 February 1966.

The Plants Of Peril

:Published: May 15, 1965, to July 24, 1965
Hydrapods – living and dangerous plants – stalk the English countryside while Professor Paul Loder and assistant Whittaker attempt to devise a way to stop them.
* Reprinted as "Menace of the Killer Plants" in the 1971 ''Lion Annual''.

Rebels of Ancient Rome!

:Published: August 16, 1952, to March 7, 1953
:Writer: Ted Cowan
:Artist: Alan Philpott
In the reign of Nero, Emperor Nero, enslaved brothers Cardoc, Granus and Edric seem set to be freed by their noble owner Mercius until he is tricked by rival Gelda. The three Britons are then forced to go on the run.

Return of the Stormtroopers

:Published: July 9, 1966, to August 27, 1966
:Artist: Eric Bradbury
A forgotten Nazi army led by General Von Stern awaken in 2046 after being cryogenically frozen in the last days of World War II. Finding an enlightened society which has long eschewed weapons, the unit swiftly conquers Britain but have to contend with a resistance led by plucky Bill Churchill.
* Continued from '' The Champion''.

Robot Archie

:Published: February 23, 1952, to August 9, 1952; February 2, 1957, to May 18, 1974
:Writers: Ted Cowan
:Artists: Ted Kearon
Pals Ted Ritchie and Ken Dale are given control of a powerful robot created by Ritchie's uncle, which they use to hunt for treasure in the jungles of Africa and South America.
* The characters initially appeared in "The Jungle Robot" before returning in "Archie the Robot Explorer" in 1957. Later years saw much use of reprints. The story was not continued in ''Valiant'' after the merger as a regular feature but did make a six-week "guest appearance".

Rod of the Trading Post

:Published: February 23, 1952, to September 13, 1952
:Writer: R. G. Thomas
Frontier trading post owner Rod Fleming helps passers-by in times of trouble.
* Text story.

Rory MacDuff

:Published: October 24, 1959, to February 6, 1965
:Artists: Geoff Campion, Fred Holmes, Reg Bunn
Initially a stuntman and investigator, MacDuff's talents later saw him recruited to join the Allies' efforts in World War II.

Sandy Dean

:Published: February 23, 1952, to February 6, 1965https://comics.bournemouth.ac.uk/category.php?category=Sandy+Dean
:Writers: Barry Nelson, George Forrest
:Artists: Selby Dennison
A smart and honest pupil at boarding school Tollington, Sandy helps out friends like bespectacled best chums Jack Hardy and 'Owl' Watson, swots up on his Test preparation, prep, plays sport and deals with bullies like 'Bossy' Bates and prefect 'Haughty' Hawkins. Further down the line the school was even involved in an espionage plot when Bates was bribed by nefarious foreign Eastern European agents.
* The strip was initially called "Sandy Dean's First Term" before being renamed "Sandy Dean's Schooldays" later in 1952. It retained this title until 1961 (throughout which Sandy remained in the fourth form), when it was renamed "Tales of Tollgate School" until 1964. Subsequently, the series switched to smaller storylines – "The Rock That Rocked Tollgate", "Tollgate at Sea!", "The Tollgate Treasure Hunters" and "Sandy Dean and the Ghost Ship" in 1964, and finally "Sandy Dean and the Pirates" in 1965, the last storyline before the strip was dropped.

Sark the Sleeper

:Published: December 15, 1973, to May 18, 1974
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper
:Artist: José Muñoz
Sole survivor of a deep space mission sent a thousand years before, Sark is awakened in the Badlands of the future by two boys called Val and Greg.
* The story was not continued in ''Valiant'' after the merger.

Secret Mission to Norway

:Published: December 10, 1955, to August 18, 1956
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper (credited as Hal Wilton)
:Artist: Brian O'Hanlon
Royal Marines Lofty Baker and Tub Cook return from a mission in German occupation of Norway, Nazi-occupied Norway only to be sent back again to extract brilliant scientist Larsen.

The Secret Tunnellers of Calitz Camp

:Published: June 27, 1953, to January 30, 1954
:Writer: Rex King
Sergeant Wilson and Andy "The Trickster" Ellis plot to be the first ever escapees from the fearsome Black Forest prisoner-of-war camp Calitz.

Secrets of the Demon Dwarf

:Published: October 28, 1972, to March 17, 1973
:Artist: Alfonso Font
After helping the #Black Max, Black Max, evil scientific genius Doktor Gratz accidentally places himself in suspended animation and reawakens in the present day, where he plans to avenge Germany's defeat in World War I. Special Agent Bill Wilson plans to stop him.
* A spin-off from "#Black Max, Black Max".

Shadow of the Snake

:Published: October 28, 1972, to September 15, 1973
:Writer: Angus Allan
:Artist: John Catchpole
Evil scientist Professor Krait terrorises the world as supervillain the Snake. Able to wriggle through any gap and hypnotise his prey, the Snake also spoke in a hissing voice.
* After his own story ended, the Snake would return to partner #The White Eyes, Professor Creech in "#Masters of Menace, Masters of Menace". The character has no relation to The Spider (British comics), the Spider adversary of The Spider (British comics)#Serials, the same name.

The Silver Colt

:Published: August 1, 1964, to July 17, 1965
:Artist: Ian Kennedy
The travels of a Colt's Manufacturing Company, Colt pistol cast in silver intended for a frontier lawman that ends up passing through various unintended owners. The Colt moved forward in time with each owner until last being glimpsed on a World War I battlefield.

The Sludge

:Published: February 13, 1965, to June 12, 1965
:Writer: Ted Cowan
:Artist: Bill Lacey
Emerging from the sea, the monstrous Sludge moves across the world, possessing any machinery it comes into touch with, and reforming after any attempt to destroy it. The focal point of resistance against the substance were Canadian newsmen Bill Hanley and Rick Slade.
* Hanley and Slade had been introduced in "#The Whirlpool of Weed, The Whirlpool of Weed"; both the intrepid pair and the Sludge would be featured again in sequel "Return of the Sludge" in the 1967 ''Lion Annual''. The Sludge would later emerge a third time to do battle with Robot Archie in 1970, and reappeared in Rebellion Developments' ''The Vigilant''.

The Speed Kings

:Published: January 13, 1968, to May 11, 1968; August 10, 1968, to October 5, 1968
:Artist: Barracuda
Professional daredevil brothers Sandy and Joe try to earn a job from the mysterious Mr. Kelsey with their reckless bravery and mechanical ingenuity.

Spellbinder

:Published: May 3, 1969, to May 18, 1974
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper
:Artist: Geoff Campion
Tom Turville inherits crumbling family home Turville Hall. Once inside he is stunned to find his ancestor Sylvester Turville, who had accidentally magically frozen himself in time some 200 years earlier. Upon awakening, he becomes fast friends with Tom, with the pair having to thwart greedy solicitor Mr. Crabtree and his muscle Silas Manson, who thought the house contained treasure, and other parties bent on stealing Sylvester's powerful Philosophers' Stone.
* Originally titled "Turville's Touchstone" before being renamed for the second story, "Spellbinder" was briefly continued in the ''Valiant (comics), Valiant Book of Mystery and Magic''.

The Spider

:Published: June 26, 1965, to April 26, 1969
:Writers: Ted Cowan, Jerry Siegel, Ken Mennell
:Artist: Reg Bunn
The Spider is a master criminal of hazy origins who uses his genius and his army of crime - including safe cracking idiot savant Roy Ordini and amoral scientist Prof Pelham – to become the 'King of Crooks'.
* Several stories were reprinted in ''Lion'' from April 22, 1972, to December 8, 1973.

Square-Deal Dawson

:Published: September 20, 1952, to May 2, 1953
:Writer: R. G. Thomas
A Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Mountie who patrolled Frozen Hills in North-west Canada, an area plagued by criminal activity despite its sparse population and barren, remote geography.
* Text story.

Steel Commando

:Published: March 20, 1971, to May 18, 1974
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper
:Artist: Alex Henderson
In World War II, Professor Brayne devises the Mark 1 Indestructible Robot for the British Army. Unfortunately a programming error means the fearsome war machine will only respond to the voice of Lance corporal Ernest "Excused Boots" Bates, a Cockney layabout. Nevertheless, the pair are sent into combat in France with successful results – at least whenever Bates feels like ordering 'Ironsides' into battle.
* Continued from ''Thunder (British comic)#Steel Commando, Thunder''. After the merger with ''Valiant'', the Steel Commando teamed up with Captain Hurricane (comics), Captain Hurricane. The character made an unnamed cameo in ''Albion (comics), Albion'' before returning in '' The Vigilant''.

Stitch in Time

:Published: March 24, 1973, to August 18, 1973
:Artist: José Muñoz
Boy menace "Stitch" Cotton is such a neighbourhood menace his behaviour is noticed by intergalactic despot Mister Universe, who plans to train him alongside the similarly bratty Varl of Voltar as his apprentice. However, the pair steal Universe's time machine and irritate people throughout history instead.

Stowaway on the Sea-Hawk

:Published: May 18, 1954, to October 2, 1954
:Writer: Ted Cowan
After his father mysteriously disappears serving on the HMS ''Seahawk'', Mark Darrell sneaks aboard to investigate sinister visually-challenged Boatswain, bosun Patch-Eye.

Swords of the Sea-Wolves

:Published: January 21, 1967, to June 24, 1967
In ancient Denmark, a sinister fungus begins taking over the population and putting the control of an entity called Helvid; Rolf the Viking leads the battle against the takeover.
* The story was modified reprints of "#Karl the Viking, Karl the Viking".

Stringbean and Hambone

:Published: February 7, 1970, to July 18, 1970
:Artist: Solano López
A legacy of Chinese curiosities from his uncle plunges Hamish McBone and his friend Alfie Bean into the middle of a Tong plot when they discover a magic gem which transforms them from inept wrestlers to a winning tag team.

Sweeper Sam

:Published: July 25, 1970, to March 6, 1971
:Artist: Solano Lopez
Friendly lug and street-sweeper Sam attempts to become a wrestler.

The Team Terry Kept in a Box

:Published: July 28, 1973, to May 18, 1974
:Writer: Frank S. Pepper
:Artist: Mike White
Association football, Football fan Terry Turner discovers a box of vintage Stereoscopy, stereoscopic Anstey Albion photos belong to his uncle. When viewed the long-gone legends come to life, and Terry puts them into action to improve the fortunes of the penniless current version of his beloved club.
* The story was not continued in ''Valiant'' after the merger.

Tex Radley – The Rancher from the Circus Ring

:Published: October 18, 1958, to September 5, 1959
:Writer: Cliff Hooper
After a successful career in a Wild West travelling circus, Tex Radley inherits a ranch and settles down with buddy Jud Clegg – only to find crooked neighbour Spencer Duke is scheming to take their spread for himself.
* Text story.

Texas Jack

:Published: April 30, 1966, to November 16, 1968
:Artists: Geoff Campion, Fred Holmes, Jesús Blasco
A close friend of Wild Bill Hickok, Colonel Jonathan Morningstar leads his United States Cavalry by example from horse Fury.
* A redrawn version of "Buffalo Bill" from ''The Comet (UK comics), The Comet'', with Buffalo Bill, Bill's fictionalised adventures reworked to be those of a fictionalised version of Texas Jack Omohundro.

The Toughest Team in the League

:Published: August 23, 1958, to April 25, 1959
:Writer: John Marshall
Player-manager of Football League Fourth Division, Division Four football team Redhaven Rangers, the talented Billy Keen struggles to keep good results coming in while balancing the club's parlous budget.
* Text story.

The Treasure-Hunt Twins

:Published: August 25, 1973, to October 6, 1973
Twins flee the orphanage when the strict governor attempts to get rid of their pet Labrador Retriever, Labrador. Given a ramshackle houseboat by a sympathetic stranger, the boys discover a treasure map aboard and set out to seek their fortune.

Trelawney of the Guards

:Published: July 9, 1966, to April 20, 1968
:Artists: Víctor de la Fuente, José Ortiz, Giorgio Trevisan
Doughty Sergeant Trelawney of the Grenadier Guards leads his unit into battle in World War II.
* Early strips included fact pages on the history of the British Infantry. Like Paddy Payne, the stories often shifted backwards and forwards chronologically. From July 29, 1967, the story was renamed "Trelawny's Mob".

Vic Gunn

:Published: February 29, 1964, to May 28, 1966
:Artist: Geoff Campion
A tough secret agent in an alternate Britain, Vic Gunn and assistant Tubby fight to free the country from the evil Baron Rudolph. Rudolph has devised a sound weapon that paralyses much of the population and runs Britain as a police state.
* Gunn debuted in "Britain in Chains" and remained the focus when it was renamed "Public Enemy No. 1" and then "The Battle for Liverpool". Later storylines featured the character's name in the title.

Voyage on the Hoodoo Whaler

:Published: April 16, 1955, to May 19, 1956
:Writer: Ted Cowan
Whaling in the Arctic on board the ''Polar Fox'', Kirk Branston discovers first mate Matt Judley has sold the crew out to their rivals on the ''Sea Wolf''.

The Waxer

:Published: May 3, 1969, to September 27, 1969
:Writer: Ken Mennell
:Artists: Reg Bunn,
Septimus Creech was once curator of the now-decaying Palace of Villainy Wax museum, waxworks museum. Able to make wax figures of history's most evil men and send them on criminal rampages. His activity attracts attention from PC Mick Martin but his tales of a highwayman in 20th century Britain see him drummed off the force. Martin resolves to expose Creech's schemes and clear his name.
* Inherited from ''Eagle''.

Whacker

:Published: June 11, 1966, to July 23, 1966
Liverpudlians Whacker and Mac move to a tumbledown country house Hardnutt Hall. In the garage they find an old jalopy fitted with a computer brain that takes them on adventures.
* The story originally began in '' The Champion'', and was a modified version of "Starter (comics), Starter" from '' Spirou''.

What Did You Do in the War, Dad?

:Published: April 24, 1965, to January 1, 1966
:Artist: Bruno Marraffa
A boy quizzes his father over his service in World War II. After initially boasting of various heroics, the elder is ultimately revealed to have greatly exaggerated or otherwise fudged
some menial or bizarre antic.

The Whirlpool of Weed

:Published: June 19, 1965, to October 9, 1965
:Artist: Bill Lacey
Canadian journalists Bill Hanley and Rick Slade discover a huge island of seaweed moving across the Atlantic. It is under the control of Diodin, who plans to use his army of sea creatures to take over America.
* Hanley and Slade would subsequently return in "#The Sludge, The Sludge".

The White-Eyes

:Published: January 29, 1972, to October 21, 1972
:Artist: John Catchpole
A gas turns people into white-eyed, superhumanly powerful aggressors. Later, wheelchair-bound megalomaniac Ezra Creech exposes himself to the gas and targets the island of Doomcrag as the first step towards global domination, but local boys Nick Dexter and Don Redding plan to stop him.
* Creech is not shown to be related to Septimus Creech from "#The Waxer, The Waxer" but did later team up with The Snake in "#Masters of Menace, Masters of Menace".

Wiz and Lofty – Speed Specialists

:Published: July 5, 1952, to February 28, 1953
:Writer: L.E. Ransome (as Victor Norman)
Wiz Hardy and partner Lawrence "Lofty" Duff are daredevils for hire, testing all manner of experimental vehicles.
* Text story.

Zip Nolan

:Published: January 19, 1963, to May 18, 1974
:Writers: Frank S. Pepper, Michael Moorcock
:Artists: Ted Kearon, Reg Bunn, Fred Holmes, Roberto Diso, Artur Puig, Joe Colquhoun
An American highway patrolman from Pensburgh, equipped with detective skills and a Harley-Davidson FL, Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle. Nolan often clashed with desk-riding superior Captain Brinker over his hunches, and as such usually ended up taking down the criminal single-handedly after divining his guilt. At one point both Nolan and Brinker were sent to England for six months to study British police techniques.
* The character debuted in straightforward detective strip "Zip Nolan – Highway Patrol" before being reconfigured as the 'interactive' "Spot the Clue with Zip Nolan". Nolan would thus spend parts of the strip breaking the forth wall, firstly to directly invite their help and then in a wrap-up explaining the crime after apprehending the villain of the week. The strip continued in ''Valiant'' after the merger, albeit in reprint form. Nolan himself appeared as a major character in ''Albion (comics), Albion''.

References

{{Buster

Lists of comic strips