Beezer

The Beezer was launched by DC Thomson on 21st January 1956, a little under three years after its sister title, Topper. Like Topper, it was a tabloid size publication, and like Topper, the first issue came with a free gift-the 'Whiz Bang'. Strips in the first issue included long running cover star Ginger by Dudley D Watkins, Lone Wolfe by Ron Smith, Pop, Dick and Harry by Tom Bannister, Nosey Parker by Allan Morley and The Banana Bunch by Leo Baxendale. From issue #34, Bill Ritchie's Baby Crockett joined the cast and became a permanent fixture. Later additions included Cap'n Hand by David Law, Colonel Blink by Tom Bannister, the Badd Lads and the Numskulls, both by Malcolm Judge, Smiffy by Bill Ritchie, and Showboat Circus by Paddy Brennan, as well as Barney's Barmy Army by Ken Hunter, Little Mo, Willie Wink the Missing Link, Young Sid the Copper's Kid, Mr Licko and His Lollipops and many others. From issue #1078 (18th September 1976) the title absorbed the short lived Cracker comic, and from #1207 (3rd March 1979) it incorporated Plug, which occupied a pull out section in the centre pages. From #1315 (28th March 1981) Beezer was reduced to standard size, and it was cancelled with #1809 (15th September 1990), the same week as Topper. The two titles were relaunched a week later as the combined Beezer & Topper, which lasted 153 issues until 21st august 1993.