Tiger (Fleetway)

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This article is about the British comic magazine. For the American comic strip, see Tiger (comic strip).
Tiger
The cover of the first issue of Tiger (11 September 1954).
Publication information
PublisherAmalgamated Press (1954–1959)
Fleetway Publications (1959–1985)
ScheduleWeekly
FormatOngoing series
Genre
  • Action/adventureSport
Publication date11 September 1954 – 30 March 1985
No. of issues1,573
Main character(s)Roy of the Rovers
Creative team
Written byFred Baker, Mike Butterworth, Paul Gettens, Terence Magee, Barrie Tomlinson, Tom Tully
Artist(s)Jim Bleach, Geoff Campion, Joe Colquhoun, John Gilliat, Yvonne Hutton, Sandy James, Brian Lewis, Roylance, Julio Schiaffino, David Sque, Vanyo, John Vernon
Editor(s)Derek Birnage (1954–1963)

Tiger was a weekly British comic magazine published from 1954 to 1985, originally by Amalgamated Press (AP) and later by IPC/Fleetway.

Launched as Tiger – The Sport and Adventure Picture Story Weekly,[1] initially the publication predominantly featured sporting strips. Its most popular strip was Roy of the Rovers, a football-based strip recounting the life of Roy Race and the team he played for, Melchester Rovers. This strip proved so successful it was spun out of Tiger and into its own comic.[2] In addition, sports stars such as Tony Greig, Geoff Boycott, Trevor Francis, Ian Botham, and Charlie Nicholas wrote columns for Tiger. Also many TV stars such as Morecambe and Wise appeared in Christmas issues, usually dressed up as Santa Claus.

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.

Amalgamated Press was acquired by the Mirror Group in 1959, and renamed Fleetway Publications.[3] 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[4] 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.[5]

Editorial team[]

The comic was launched under the editorship of Derek Birnage, who remained at the helm from 1954 to 1963.[6] 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.[citation needed]

List of strips[]

This list is incomplete. You can help to complete it.

  • Billy's Boots (writer Fred Baker, artist John Gilliat) – moved to Eagle, 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. 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 in which racing driver Niki Lauda 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, artist Joe Colquhoun) 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
  • 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)
  • 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)[7]
  • Memorable Moments in Sport (Brian Lewis)
  • Mighty Mouse (writer Fred Baker, artist Julio Schiaffino)
  • Nipper (writer Tom Tully, artist Roylance) — from Scorcher, moved to Roy of the Rovers
  • Paddy Ryan (Brian Lewis)
  • Paceman
  • Phillip Driver
  • Rod and Line (writer Paul Gettens)
  • Roy of the Rovers (first appeared in 1954, created by Frank S. Pepper and Joe Colquhoun) – 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 driver in the 80s[citation needed].
  • Sintek
  • The Slogger from Down Under
  • The Strong Guy
  • Star Rider – moved to Eagle
  • 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.
  • 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 the 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[]

  1. ^ "Collectors Corner – Bibliography and Guide Prices". Roy of the Rovers.com. Archived from the original on 2005-02-10. Retrieved 2005-06-09.
  2. ^ O'Meara, Tom (September 20, 2004). "He shoots ... he scores!". The Guardian.
  3. ^ "Fleetway – A History". Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  4. ^ "Comic Stories".
  5. ^ "Tiger Comic". British Comics.com. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  6. ^ Philip, Robert (January 31, 2004). "Philip on Saturday: Roy Race creator dies". The Telegraph.[dead link]
  7. ^ "David Sque Illustrations — Comic Strips".

Sources[]

External links[]

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