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The LOOK-IN PICTURE STRIP ARCHIVE
Discussion Forums for anyone old enough to remember Look-In magazine
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porkulator
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 159
Location: Liverpool, England
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 Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject: June update...
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The June update is now online and raring to go, find out where it all began with the 'Origins of Look-in' feature, and read the whole of the first issue, including the features! You can read Stewpot's first feature for the mag and and be Tony Bastable for a day with the Magpie Studio....!!!! also see issue 17 from 1982.
John.
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Shaqui
Joined: 09 Nov 2005
Posts: 161
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: June update...
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| porkulator wrote: |
| The June update is now online and raring to go, find out where it all began with the 'Origins of Look-in' feature... |
Oh dear John, I do wish you would let me see these before making them live...  I hate to knock your endeavours but quite a few errors and factual omissions, I'm afraid.
The story of Look-in begins way back in the early 60's, with a name that Gerry Anderson fans will know immediately - Alan Fennell.� He got his big break as a writer for Anderson, and penned many episodes of Gerry's hit series, including Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds, and UFO.�� During this time he saw an opportunity to diverse into comics via his Anderson links, and started TV Century 21, later shortened to TV21 (Left), where he was Editor between 1965-67.
Alan Fennell started out in comics, and met Gerry Anderson while negotiating the rights for a 'Four Feather Falls' strip in 'TV Comic', which he ultimately wrote. Also writing the strips of Anderson's new series 'Supercar' in 'TV Comic', Fennell wrote a spec episode script but it was never used - by the time 'Fireball XL5' was in production, Fennell became a contributor, writing a number of episodes, and also for 'Stingray' and 'Thunderbirds' but he never left his full-time position as assistant editor on 'TV Comic', nor as editor/managing director on 'TV Century 21'.
Working alongside Alan was an artist he'd later utilise on Look-in - Mike Noble.� Mike worked on 'Fireball XL5' (Below), then later on Zero X and Captain Scarlet.
Mike Noble worked with Alan Fennell on 'TV Comic', drawing 'The Lone Ranger' and 'The Range Rider'.
In 1967 Alan moved on to children's comic 'Candy', and then shortly after one called 'Solo', both were short lived titles, which included Anderson strips in their repertoires.
'Solo' was short-lived (31 issues) but 'Candy' ran for nearly 3 years (154 issues) when it was merged with 'Jack & Jill'.
In 1969 he started another title 'Joe 90: Top Secret', a spin off from TV21. More Look-in prot�g�es in this title, Martin Asbury, and John Cooper who both drew Joe 90 stories.� The title merged with TV21 after 34 issues, John Cooper staying on to draw Thunderbirds.� At this point Alan left to start work on a new publication...
Century 21 Publishing was actually closed down around May 1969, and all staff offered their notice. It is uncertain what Fennell did exactly at this point, as he was managing director. He wrote a script for 'UFO', then presumably continued his career as a freelance editor and writer, formulating the dummy issue of what would later become 'Look-In'.
It was also during this time that Alan struck up a long term friendship with Angus P. Allan, who wrote a lot of stories for these comics,� Angus would soon be the chief writer for this new publication too.
Alan Fennell and Angus Allan met at Amalgamated Press (which would later become Fleetway/IPC) in the late 1950s, before 'TV21' and before 'TV Comic'.
In 1971 Alan started his new venture, called 'Look-in', it was to be a junior version of the already popular 'TV Times' Magazine (Left).� The comic was started primarily to give advertising to children of the weeks ITV programming, but it was also one of the first comics, to double as a magazine, and have an equal spread of features as well as strips.�
'Look-In' had a long gestation through 1970, and perhaps as early as 1969 when Fennell was freelance again. As Colin Shelbourn related in an online interview by Alastair McGown, Fennell had the idea for a 'TV21' like comic (possibly continuing the trends of that and 'Joe 90', now the 'actual' TV21 was losing its TV content) but the TVTimes editorial staff had the idea of a junior magazine version. Eventually the two ideas were merged, with the working title 'Magpie', based around the popular TV magazine series.
Alan was to edit Look-in until 1974.� He later went on to edit all of the Anderson titles that went with Gerry's resurgence in popularity in the early 90's, I'm not sure what Alan did up until that time.� He retired in the late 90's and unfortunately died of cancer on 11th December 2001 aged 65.
Fennell became a managing director at World Distributors, and was probably there through most of the 1980s as well. Around the turn of the millenium, he freelanced for Redan, editing the 'Thunderbirds' and 'Captain Scarlet' Collector's Editions, before his untimely death. I don't believe he ever retired.
Amongst the first set of Look-in artists was Vicente Alcazar who drew on later issues of TV21 , doing amongst others, 'Star Trek' (Right).� He started with 'Freewheelers', which was also drawn later by Carlos Pino, another ex-Star Trek artist who drew on the annuals.
I think the 'Star Trek' illustration may actually be by Jim Baikie.
Carlos Pino... which annuals are you refering to? I don't recall him drawing any 'Trek' or 'Look-In' annuals.
Also in the first issue Mike Noble drew 'Timeslip', which was the key opener (for me at least), and a reason most people bought the first issue.� He retired from doing strips in the 80's through ill health, but came out of retirement to do some covers for the aformentioned 90's Anderson titles.
It was not ill health which forced Mike Noble to retire - at least, not his own. but he was semi-retired by the time Alan Fennell approached him to do work on the Fleetway titles.
Later in 1971 it was decided to use painted covers, not a new concept, but I think Look-in was the first comic to do it on a weekly basis in modern times� (I could be wrong).
At least you admit you don't know. 'TV21 & Joe 90' were doing it from issue 4 onwards (late 1969) until mid 1970, mainly by Alan Willow. 'TV Tornado' also had full cover illustrations throughout its run from early 1967 to late 1968. I'm sure 'Boys World' did, having bought some 1963 issues recently, and I think 'Swift' may also have had painted covers around 1962...
I'll check with Kim Stevens, who is more au fait with girl's comics but I'm sure 'Diana' was doing this from its first issue around 1963, and some other girl's titles around 1960-61.
At first having an array of artists in rotation, they later found a guy by the name of Arnaldo Putzu, who's mainstay of work was found on British cinema posters of the 60's and 70's, including the 'Carry On' series (Right).� Arnaldo soon became the regular cover artist.� He continued to do the movie posters whilst with Look-in.� I'm unsure what he is doing today.
Surprising that having collated the cover galleries, it's obvious as soon as he was 'discovered' by 'Look-In', Arnaldo Putzu was established as the main cover artist, with the late Angus McBride doing the next largest share. Other artists like Mike Noble and Gerry Embleton did the odd cover, with Arthur Ranson coming to the fore as another main contributor during 1972.
Martin Asbury worked for 'TV Action' for a stint drawing 'Cannon', before he was brought to Look-in in 1974, to draw 'Kung Fu', When Martin left Look-in, he took over drawing 'Garth' (Left) for the 'Daily Mirror', later he became a storyboard artist, which he still does these days, and amongst his credits are 'Doom', 'Da Vinci Code' and the mega successful 'Casino Royale'.
'TV Action' folded in 1973, merging with 'TV Comic', on which Asbury drew a few 'Dr Who' strips. He actually drew a 'Follyfoot' strip for 'Look-In' in late 1973 before being taken on to do 'Kung Fu'.
Asbury actually took over 'Garth' in 1976, after the untimely death of Frank Bellamy, and was working on this at the same time as doing his work for 'Look-In'.
�
John M. Burns worked on the comic 'Countdown', drawing an original story that had the same title as the comic (Right), and also�drew strips based on the series 'UFO'. he left when the title folded in 72, and was taken onboard Look-in in 73.� His first outing was 'The Tomorrow People'.� He was, as a lot of the Look-in artists were, freelance and still continued to work on newspaper strips.� After he left Look-in he joined Fleetway to work on '2000ad' and has remained there ever since.
�
As mentioned above, 'TV Action' folded in August 1973 - Burns last work appeared in issue 129, dated 4 August. His first 'Look-In' strip was in issue 31 for 1973, dated 28 July - the merest of overlaps.
Virtually all artists/illustrators are freelance - very few, if any, work in-house.
There were other artists like Jim Baikie, who came later.� He worked on Star Trek too in the 70's annuals, and later drew for teen magazine 'Valentine' (Left), drawing love stories.� He now works for '2000ad' and stable mate 'Crisis'.
I presume you're referring to the 1973 'TV21' annual, in which Baike drew two quite superlative full colour 'Star Trek' strips.
I was of the opinion 'Crisis' folded some time ago.
Bill Titcombe Came from Polystyle's 'TV Comic' were he worked for many years doing mainly comedy series.� amongst his portfolio were, 'Bootsie and Snudge', 'Dad's Army' (Below right), 'Tom and Jerry' and 'Barney Bear'.� His first strip for Look-in� was 'Doctor On The Go'.
Bill Titcombe also drew for 'TV21's sister comic 'Lady Penelope' - 'Bewitched' and 'What Did That Dog Say', among others.
I believe his first strip for 'Look-In' may actually have been a 'Man About The House' strip for the 1976 'TV Comedy Scene' special, followed by 'The Benny Hill Page' on a regular basis.
Hopefully if and when I get to interview him (shortly, I hope), he'll flesh out his career a little for us.
Harry North worked on 'MAD' magazine doing the covers, and continued to do this during his time on Look-in, he was taken on in 1973 and his first strip was 'On The Buses'.� Not sure what Harry is doing now.
Harry North did all the 'On The Buses' strips, which started in 1971, issue 31.
Arthur Ranson was a banknote designer, then did lettering on cardboard boxes in the 60's, and as far as I'm aware Look-in was the first comic he worked on.� His first strip I believe was 'Michael Bentine's Potty Time', though he may have drawn 'Les Dawson is Superflop!'.� Arthur is currently yet another '2000ad' artist.
Arthur Ranson was indeed responsible for some of the 'Superflop' strips, as well as 'Settle Down Now with Ken Goodwin' in 1973.
And with regard to 'Catweazle'...
The strip was first drawn by Gary Embleton, much more famous for drawing 'Captain Scarlet' in TV21...
Ouch John - it's Gerry Embleton, and he never drew 'Captain Scarlet' - it was his brother, the late Ron Embleton who initially drew the strip in 'TV21'.
Sorry.
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Space Patrol � Sara & Hoppity � Gerry Anderson Comics � Look-In �
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Shaqui
Joined: 09 Nov 2005
Posts: 161
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:
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Oh, and whoever it was who took over Gerry Embleton on 'Catweazle' it definitely wasn't Felix Carrion, although he may well have been the artist on the 'Catweazle' strips in the 1972 'Summer Extra' and Annual...
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Space Patrol � Sara & Hoppity � Gerry Anderson Comics � Look-In �
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porkulator
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 159
Location: Liverpool, England
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject:
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I don't want this to sound like i'm having a dig or anything, cause i'm not, but I did ask you to do the origin feature, I knew you'd do a better job than I would, my info was gathered from quite a few places, obviously some places were not as well researched as others (or I just misread them....more likely..!!!). and wasn't meant to be that indepth, I had other features and bits to do , and didn't want to spend a long time on it. I'll do some correcting and/or expanding and update it next month. Thanks for all the info anyway.
John.
http://www.geocities.com/juniortvtimes2006/
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porkulator
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 159
Location: Liverpool, England
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject:
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Mike Noble did draw XL5 though?
I can correct one thing, Bill Titcome never drew �Man about the House�, I think it may have been John Cooper, but it definitely wasn�t Bill. Bill always signed his work, and these were never signed.
I don�t think of earlier comics as paintings rather than large illustrations, Arnaldo�s are paintings, and you can actually see brush strokes in a lot of them. You can actually tell they are done in oils. With slightly earlier comics I don�t think it�s the same. I�m not saying they weren�t good mind�
I knew it was an Embleton�!!!....that was bad.
Felix Carrion was mentioned in the Chronology you sent me, but not to particular strips, I will amend that soon.
John.
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Shaqui
Joined: 09 Nov 2005
Posts: 161
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:15 am Post subject:
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| porkulator wrote: |
| I don't want this to sound like i'm having a dig or anything, cause i'm not, but I did ask you to do the origin feature, I knew you'd do a better job than I would, my info was gathered from quite a few places, obviously some places were not as well researched as others (or I just misread them....more likely..!!!). and wasn't meant to be that indepth, I had other features and bits to do , and didn't want to spend a long time on it. I'll do some correcting and/or expanding and update it next month. Thanks for all the info anyway. |
Yes, and I agreed to do it, subject to other commitments. I have a full-time job, my own website, and a number of other things that call upon my time - but you scheduled the feature without checking whether I could do it within that time.
I'd already mentioned I had a potential contact who would have been a great help in fleshing out the story behind the start of 'Look-In' but who was ill - what did you want me to do? Ring him in hospital? 
John, I've helped out a great deal with the site, but to almost accuse me of, well... simply not being interested... that sucks a great deal.
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Space Patrol � Sara & Hoppity � Gerry Anderson Comics � Look-In �
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Shaqui
Joined: 09 Nov 2005
Posts: 161
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:42 am Post subject:
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| porkulator wrote: |
| Mike Noble did draw XL5 though? |
Didn't dispute that, simply added earlier work to show he and Fennell were working on 'TV Comic' together before 'TV Century 21'.
| Quote: |
| I can correct one thing, Bill Titcome never drew �Man about the House�, I think it may have been John Cooper, but it definitely wasn�t Bill. Bill always signed his work, and these were never signed. |
John Cooper did one of the annual strips, Bill Titcombe (and I correct myself here - I was photocopying stuff for him and got the specials confused) drew a 'Man About The House' strip in the 1976 Look-In Summer Extra.
Sorry John, but read it and weep... 
| Quote: |
| I don�t think of earlier comics as paintings rather than large illustrations, Arnaldo�s are paintings, and you can actually see brush strokes in a lot of them. You can actually tell they are done in oils. With slightly earlier comics I don�t think it�s the same. I�m not saying they weren�t good mind� |
A painting is a painting is a painting - be it watercolours, gouache, acrylics, which most other artists would have used as they dry quicker. If you're quibbling the medium, you're on your own there...
| Quote: |
| Felix Carrion was mentioned in the Chronology you sent me, but not to particular strips, I will amend that soon. |
Ahem, that's a lie - sorry, John. Reprinted is the chronology I sent you, and I always attribute the artist to the strip if known. If not, I put 'unknown'...
Catweazle Chronology
Story One
01/08/72 - No.2 to 7/10/72 - N0.22
Catweazle, trying to escape from Norman guards, attempts to fly from a tree in the 11th century - and lands in the large stage water tank of magician The Great Bondini. Befriending Bondini's son Joe, Catweazle becomes an uneasy addition to the stage act and enlists the boy's help in finding items that will help him fly - and back to his own time.
Artist: Gerry Embleton
Story Two
01/08/72 - No.23 to 7/10/72 - No.28
Misunderstanding Joe's comments about spirits being a medium that painters use, Catweazle beomes involved with Madame Zena, a fake medium, and her cousin hypnotist, Doctor Mesmo...
Artist: Gerry Embleton
Story Three: The Ancient Sorcerer plans to fly!
01/08/72 - No.29 to 7/10/72 - N0.33
The sinister Silas Creech borrows Bondini's alchemy book, which Catweazle needs in his quest to fly.
Artist: Unknown
Story Four: A weighty problem for the ancient sorceror!
01/08/72 - No.34 to 7/10/72 - No.41
When Catweazle believes a weighing machine to be a mystic oracle - attracting the attention of a policeman - he and Joe hide in the back of a van and become involved a smuggling operation in Holland...
Artist: Unknown
Story Five: Museum madness
01/08/72 - No.42 to 7/10/72 - No.44
Catweazle and Joe visit a museum but panicked by an ancient shield and statues of Norman soldiers, the sorceror turns three guards into statues. Needing Bondini�s ancient book to turn them back, they return to find it has been stolen by a rival magician called Mysterio�
Artist: Unknown
Story Six: A mad mix-up for the ancient sorcerer!
01/08/72 - No.45 to 7/10/72 - No.48
Louis Dussault wants to make a waxwork of the famous Bondini, leading Catweazle to believe the statues are stolen souls, and in the museum's 'Room of Doom', the ancient sorcerer finally finds an end to his quest.
Note:'Dussault' is a virtual anagram of 'Tussauds', the famous waxworks in London
Artist: Unknown
- - - - -
Look-In Holiday Special �1972
Three b/w pages
Catweazle has lost Touchwood, and gets into several misunderstood scrapes trying to find him...
Artist: Felix Carrion (?)
Look-In Annual �1972
Six b/w pages
Attempting to learn how to fly, Catweazle borrows Joe's camera to take pictures of birds, believing it will capture their souls...
Artist: Felix Carrion (?)
Still unconfirmed about Carrion's style - hence the (?) - but I have taken the trouble to try and source other credited material of his for a comparison and stand by that at this time. I believe it's him so far, unless someone can correct me - which I'm more than willing to accept.
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Space Patrol � Sara & Hoppity � Gerry Anderson Comics � Look-In �
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porkulator
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 159
Location: Liverpool, England
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:57 am Post subject:
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I could be wrong, but I don�t remember you agreeing to �definitely� do it, just �you�d try to do something if you could spare the time� or words to that effect (again, not having a go at you�!!!), I know you are busy and any ask is not necessarily going to be definite, but I scheduled it, cause I knew if you weren�t able to, I could come up with something � which I did, not brilliant, but I did, I wouldn�t schedule anything if I didn�t think I could come up with the goods. But always remember everything is updateable.
I�m sorry if I gave the impression you weren�t interested, that wasn�t my intention, you�ve done a hell of a lot for the site, for which I�m really grateful.
As mentioned I didn�t want to be too in depth so was just giving an example of Mike�s better known work.
I have most of the Man about the house strip from the comic, so I knew I was fairly sure I was right about Bill, but I don�t have any of the summer specials�.yet. Very good spot Shaqui. Any information I put onsite is always going to be subject to conjecture and update, as I don�t have a full collection yet, so I�m relying on memory too, (Not brilliant unfortunately�!!!)
Fair comment about the paintings, we�ll agree to disagree on that one!
I knew Felix was mentioned, My apologies for that one Shaqui, Felix�s name does have a question mark by it onsite, maybe I�d put that in just in case any of the unknowns are Felix�s. I will sort that too soon.
http://www.geocities.com/juniortvtimes2006/
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