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''Tiger'' was a weekly British
comic magazine Comic magazine may refer to: * Comics anthology * '' Comic Magazine'', a 1986 Japanese film * Comic Magazines, the parent company of Quality Comics * Franco-Belgian comics magazines * Japanese manga magazines * A periodical containing comic strip ...
published from 1954 to 1985, originally by
Amalgamated Press The Amalgamated Press (AP) was a British newspaper and magazine publishing company founded by journalist and entrepreneur Alfred Harmsworth (1865–1922) in 1901, gathering his many publishing ventures together under one banner. At one point the ...
(AP) and later by IPC/ Fleetway. Launched as ''Tiger – The Sport and Adventure Picture Story Weekly'', initially the publication predominantly featured sporting strips. Its most popular strip was '' Roy of the Rovers'', a
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, Kick (football), kicking a Football (ball), ball to score a Goal (sport), goal. Unqualified, Football (word), the word ''football'' normally means the form of football tha ...
-based strip recounting the life of Roy Race and the team he played for,
Melchester Rovers ''Roy of the Rovers'' is a British comic strip about the life and times of a fictional footballer and later manager named Roy Race, who played for Melchester Rovers. The strip first appeared in the ''Tiger'' in 1954, before giving its name to ...
. This strip proved so successful it was spun out of ''Tiger'' and into its own comic. In addition, sports stars such as
Tony Greig Anthony William Greig (6 October 194629 December 2012) was a South African-born Test cricket captain turned commentator. Greig qualified to play for the England cricket team by virtue of his Scottish parentage. He was a tall () all-rounder ...
, Geoff Boycott,
Trevor Francis Trevor John Francis (born 19 April 1954) is an English former footballer who played as a forward for a number of clubs in England, the United States, Italy, Scotland and Australia. In 1979 he became Britain's first £1 million player foll ...
,
Ian Botham Ian Terence Botham, Baron Botham, (born 24 November 1955) is an English cricket commentator, member of the House of Lords, a former cricketer who has been chairman of Durham County Cricket Club since 2017 and charity fundraiser. Hailed as on ...
, and Charlie Nicholas wrote columns for ''Tiger''. Also many TV stars such as
Morecambe and Wise Eric Morecambe (John Eric Bartholomew, 14 May 1926 – 28 May 1984) and Ernie Wise (Ernest Wiseman, 27 November 1925 – 21 March 1999), known as Morecambe and Wise (and sometimes as Eric and Ernie), were an English comic double act, working i ...
appeared in Christmas issues, usually dressed up as
Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnigh ...
.


Publication history

''Tiger'' debuted with the 11 September 1954 issue. As was common with British comics during this period, ''Tiger'' absorbed a number of other comics magazines during its run; six in all. Following successive mergers with other AP publications in the 1950s, the comic was known as ''Tiger Incorporating the Champion'' (from 1955) and then (from 1959) ''Tiger and
Comet A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process that is called outgassing. This produces a visible atmosphere or coma, and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena ...
''. Amalgamated Press was acquired by the Mirror Group in 1959, and renamed Fleetway Publications. Following successive mergers with other Fleetway publications in the 1960s, the comic was known as ''Tiger and Hurricane'' (from May 1965), then (from 1969) ''Tiger and Jag'' for many years. It was coupled with the football magazine '' Scorcher'' in 1974, resulting in ''Tiger and Scorcher'' appearing for more than six years. In 1980, there was a further, less successful, merger with another comic called ''Speed''. The end finally came on 30 March 1985, with ''Tiger'' merging into '' The Eagle'' from issue #159 of that comic, dated 6 April 1985, which was temporarily titled ''Eagle and Tiger'' (with some strips from ''Tiger'' coming to the merged publications). In all, 1,573 issues were published, as well as a number of hardcover annuals.


Editorial team

The comic was launched under the editorship of Derek Birnage, who remained at the helm from 1954 to 1963. The next editor was Barrie Tomlinson. Tomlinson became Group Editor in 1976, with Paul Gettens as editor. Editorial assistants included Tony Peagam, Paul Gettens, and Terence Magee. Art editors included Mike Swanson and Trish Gordon-Pugh. Art Assistant: Maurice Dolphin. Letterers: Stanley Richardson, Paul Bensberg, Peter Knight, John Aldrich.


List of strips

* '' Billy's Boots'' (writer Fred Baker, artist John Gilliat) – moved to ''
Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, jus ...
'', then '' Roy of the Rovers''. A schoolboy believes his footballing success is down to a special pair of old boots. * ''Death Wish'' (writer Barrie Tomlinson, artist Vanyo) – from ''Speed'', moved to ''
Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, jus ...
''. A racing driver disfigured by an accident wears a leather mask and takes on increasingly dangerous stunts. This strip began just four years after a similar accident at the
Nürburgring The is a 150,000 person capacity motorsports complex located in the town of Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It features a Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a long "North loop" track, built in the 1920s, around the village a ...
in which racing driver
Niki Lauda Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda (22 February 1949 – 20 May 2019) was an Austrian Formula One driver and aviation entrepreneur. He was a three-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, winning in , and , and is the only driver in Formula ...
suffered severe burns. * ''The Destroyer from the Depths'' ( Brian Lewis) * ''Fairs Please!'' * ''File of Fame'' (writer Terence Magee, artist Jim Bleach) * ''Fisty Flynn'' * ''Football Family Robinson'' (writers Fred Baker and later
Tom Tully Thomas Kane Tulley (August 21, 1908 – April 27, 1982) was an American actor. He began his career in radio and on the stage before making his film debut in '' Northern Pursuit'' (1943). Subsequently, he was nominated for an Academy Award for h ...
, artist
Joe Colquhoun Joe Colquhoun (7 November 1926 – 13 April 1987) was a British comics artist best known for his work on '' Charley's War'' in ''Battle Picture Weekly''. He was also the first artist to draw '' Roy of the Rovers''. Biography Born in Harrow, Mid ...
) about a lower division side called Thatchem United. All players had to be Robinson family members under the tutelage of Grandma Robinson. Team members included Crash Robinson (goalie), Alf Robinson, Fred Robinson, Grizzly Bear Robinson, Ron Robinson and Tich Robinson. Their biggest moment was when they got to Wembley and won the League Cup, in a manner similar to Swindon Town's 1969 victory over Arsenal in the same competition. The story resumed in ''Roy of the Rovers'' in the late 1970s. * ''Golden Boy'' – moved to ''
Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, jus ...
''. Originally the story of an athletically gifted, but 'feral' boy, Jamie Speed, who was discovered running on the moors. Subsequently, adopted by a police officer 'Seargent Joe' who helped Jamie fulfil his potential, going on to win Olympic gold medals in running and swimming events. Post the Olympic success, the story subsequently took a darker turn with Jamie 'turning professional' and becoming involved in more dangerous but also more lucrative daredevil style events, which caused a rift between himself and his police officer mentor. The series began to lose focus at this point and petered out soon after. * ''A Horse Called Ugly'' * ''Hot Shot Hamish'' (writer Fred Baker, artist Julio Schiaffino) – moved to '' Roy of the Rovers''. A comedy about a Scottish footballer with a powerful kick. * '' Jet-Ace Logan'' (created by Mike Butterworth and
Geoff Campion Arthur Geoffrey Campion (19 November 1916 — 18 December 1997)Norman Wright and David Ashford, ''Masters of Fun and Thrills: The British Comic Artists Vol. 1'', Norman Wright (pub.), 2008, pp. 7-21 was a British comics artist who drew adventur ...
) * ''Johnny Cougar'' (writer Barrie Tomlinson, artist Sandy James) – a Native American wrestler who grappled with a number of colourful opponents. * ''King of the Track'' (writer Paul Gettens, artist Yvonne Hutton) * ''MacTavish and O'Toole'' * ''Martin's Marvellous Mini'' (writer Fred Baker, artist David Sque) * ''Memorable Moments in Sport'' ( Brian Lewis) * ''Mighty Mouse'' (writer Fred Baker, artist Julio Schiaffino) * ''Nipper'' (writer
Tom Tully Thomas Kane Tulley (August 21, 1908 – April 27, 1982) was an American actor. He began his career in radio and on the stage before making his film debut in '' Northern Pursuit'' (1943). Subsequently, he was nominated for an Academy Award for h ...
, artist Roylance) — from ''Scorcher'', moved to ''Roy of the Rovers''. * ''Olac the Gladiator'' * ''Paddy Ryan'' ( Brian Lewis) * ''Paceman'' - A relatively short lived story initially, predominantly about an slightly awkward, gangly and bespectacled school boy with little interest in sport. As he is reading a book, with a school cricket match being played in the background, a ball is hit in his direction. Annoyed, he proceeds to throw the ball back with sufficient energy that the sports teacher invites him to try out for the school cricket team. It is at this point he comes into conflict with the established team captain 'Rupert' the archetypal, handsome popular sportsman. The series follows their tribulations in a fairly formulaic fashion, whereby they end up friends. The series ends relatively abruptly with the acknowledgement of how they will most likely end up playing cricket together for England. It is at this point that paceman was dropped to be replaced by Master Spy the following week. * ''Phillip Driver'' * ''Rod and Line'' (writer Paul Gettens) * '' Roy of the Rovers'' (first appeared in 1954, created by Frank S. Pepper and
Joe Colquhoun Joe Colquhoun (7 November 1926 – 13 April 1987) was a British comics artist best known for his work on '' Charley's War'' in ''Battle Picture Weekly''. He was also the first artist to draw '' Roy of the Rovers''. Biography Born in Harrow, Mid ...
) – spun off into its own comic in 1976 (but continued to have stories in ''Tiger'' for a couple of years after this). * ''Skid Solo'' (writer Fred Baker, artist John Vernon) – about a British
Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
driver in the 80s. * ''Sintek'' * ''The Slogger from Down Under'' * ''The Strong Guy'' * ''Star Rider'' – moved to ''
Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, jus ...
''. * The Jailbird Commandos (writr/artist Ramón Gonzalez Antonaya) * '' The Suicide Six'' (writer/artist Brian Lewis) * ''Tallon of the Track'' – tomboy Jo Tallon runs the Flying Ospreys speedway team. * ''Topps On Two Wheels'' (title later changed to ''Topps'') - from ''Speed'', about a motorcycle stunt rider based loosely on
Eddie Kidd Edward Kidd (born 22 June 1959) is an English former stunt performer. He was paralysed and suffered brain damage following an accident in 1996. On 15 June 2012 it was announced that he had been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire ...
. * ''The Tough Game'' – a rugby league story involving the exploits of three friends, Duggie Batson, Big Ernie Barnes, and Ape Man. Initially Big Ernie and Duggie played for Ruston Town, where they were subsequently joined by Ape Man. After a fallout with Rushton town, the three left to instead play for Potterdale. * ''Typhoon Tracy, Trouble-shooter''


Notes and references


Sources

*


External links


Roy of the Rovers
official website {{Buster Fleetway and IPC Comics titles Comics magazines published in the United Kingdom 1954 comics debuts 1985 comics endings Magazines established in 1954 Magazines disestablished in 1985