The very early installments of The Banana Bunch in The Beezer were full-pagers with a single picture. Drawn by the young Leo Baxendale, they were printed in colour on the back page of the comic for thirteen weeks starting from the very first issue (January 21, 1956). Starting from issue 14 (April 21, 1956) the feature was moved to the inside of the paper and appeared in black and red.
The reason I am writing this post is because some time ago I saw a copy of The Beezer from 1961 on eBay. One of the photos uploaded by the seller showed a reprint on one of those early full-page sets, rendered in back and red. I though my readers might be interested to see the two versions side by side. Here’s the original in full-colour from The Beezer No. 10 (March 24, 1956):
… and here’s its twin from the issue cover-dated June
24, 1961:
The colour version looks OK, but I have to say that in
this particular case I prefer the reprint. What do you think? I wonder if DC
Thomson reprinted other early installments of The Banana Bunch in the
same way?
In my opinion I think the colour one looks far better - much more life and depth.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the colour version, Irmy. It just seems sharper.
ReplyDeleteWell spotted, and what an amazing picture! Could almost be mistaken for a Wally Wood...
ReplyDeleteThe red and black looks great, but I still prefer the full colour version.
Those Banana Bunch stories by Leo Baxendale were really something! I have the first two years (1956 and 1957) collected in album form, if you know what I mean ;)
DeleteI know exactly what you mean ;)
DeleteGot the Ken Reid in Smash! album someone (you?) made, it's a beauty!
So it looks like I'm in the minority on this... :)
ReplyDeleteNot just IN the minority, Irmy - you ARE the minority. (So far anyway.)
DeleteI am...
DeleteI like the colour best also...
ReplyDeletelove the black shading also..
Love The Banana Bunch posters... :)