"GHOSTING ALONG WITH SAM'S SPOOK!" (PART 2)

Sam's Spook from Smash Fun Book 1971

(CONTINUED FROM PART 1)

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"To date, Shiela and I have created, written and drawn many original comic strips. At the same time, we have been called upon to write and "ghost" many others. In 1968, we scripted and drew GRIMLY FEENDISH and PERCY'S PETS for SMASH!. At the time, these strips were being drawn (also "ghosted") weekly by STAN McNURTY, one of our favourite and most respected cartoonists.

In November of 1969, we got another wonderful break. Gil Page, then Editor of the "new" SMASH!, invited us to contribute to the 1971 SMASH FUN BOOK, a 96 pager full of favourite fun characters.

Shiela & Terry Bave

We scripted and drew a SAMMY SHRINK 2-pager, scripted and "ghosted" two 4-page strips of THE SWOTS & THE BLOTS, and again for a 2-pager of SAM'S SPOOK. Scripts were supplied by the editorial staff for a further 3-pager and 2-pager of BIG 'EAD, plus a 2-pager of BAD PENNY. A big challenge, but great fun to tackle these different styles. I never looked back after that - I was happy to have a go at "ghosting" many more styles.

Big 'Ead from Smash Fun Book 1971

WHAM!, SMASH!, and POW! were originally owned by
ODHAMS
PRESS, then IPC/
FLEET-
WAY took
over, continuing to run SMASH! in a "revamped" form for a little while longer. But not before I had added EAGLE EYE, DANNY DARE, THE DOLLS OF ST. DOMINICS and WEE WILLIE HAGGIS to my "ghosted" list.

Over the following years, I "ghosted", amongst others, SWEET TOOTH in WHIZZER & CHIPS, HIRE-A-HORROR and VAL'S VANISHING CREAM in COR!, THE KATTS, JELLY BABY and TOFFEE NOSE in KNOCKOUT, and SHIVER, SHAKE, SOGGY THE SEA MONSTER and DAMSEL IN DISTRESS in SHIVER & SHAKE.

Bad Penny from - see if you can guess

Also SNAP HAPPY and FUN FEAR in WHOOPEE, X-RAY SPECS, MUMMY'S BOY, GUMS, and ART'S GALLERY in MONSTER FUN, RITCHIE RAGS in JACKPOT, NUMBER 13, BASH STREET KIDS, BILLY WHIZZ, THE GERMS and IVY THE TERRIBLE in THE BEANO and KORKY THE CAT in THE DANDY. I've even had a go at DESPERATE DAN in the Fun-size DANDY books.

A lot of challenging drawing, but what a lot of fun "ghosting" the work of so many favourite comic artists."

Terry & Shiela Bave (October 2004.)

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And thanks to Terry and Shiela for all the years of hard work they put into making a lot of happy childhood memories for millions of readers.