Tag Archives: Norman Lee

Chill Out!

Mandy, Picture Story Library, , , , , ,
  • Chill Out! – Mandy Picture Story Library : #234 [1996]
  • Art: Cover & Story 2 – Norman Lee,  Story 1 – Douglas Perry, Story 4 – Carlos Freixas

Plot

Four short spooky tales for this picture story library.

Story 1:  Lonely… (Art: Douglas Perry)

In 1933 Lyn Lawrence and her family move into a temporary rented home, Lyn finds the  house’s old fashioned phone a novelty. Then during a storm she gets a strange call with a faint voice saying “I’m lonely…”, but her parents say the telephone lines have been brought down in the storm. She find out the lines have become tangled with the grave of a 13 year old girl Annie, who once lived in the house. Meanwhile she has been getting messages in her bedroom, written on her mirror “I’m still lonely” and pencils spelling out Annie. It escalates to Annie’s ghost appearing to Lyn and trying to get her to come and be her friend, Lyn snaps out of her trance just in time and her mother sends her to stay with her gran until their new house is ready. Lyn is happy in the new house, until her mother answers a strange call and she goes to her room to find the message “I’ve found you and I’m still lonely” on her mirror!

Story 2: Trapped! (Art: Norman Lee)

On a school trip to Holburn Hall, Fay Lang feels a strange connection to the house, knowing things about it despite never being there before. One thing she knows about is a fake door that leads to nowhere, but as the rest of the tour group moves on she suddenly hears someone calling for help from behind it. When she tries the door she actually finds herself in the past face to face with her double named Bridie. In the Victorian era the hall had been used as a orphanage, Bridie helps Fay escape from the cruel Matron, getting whipped across the arm in the process. She convinces Fay to put on some old clothes and hides her away in a laundry. Matron catches up with Fay and thinks she is Bridie, not listening to her protests. Meanwhile a girl steps out the door in the present, bruising on her arm indicates that it is Bridie.

Story 3: Home Sweet Home! (Text story)

Emma wakes up after a sickness and is confused to find some strange things in her house, the furniture in her room has changed, she can not find her parents and the strangers in the house ignore her, while their dog growls at her. One person does acknowledge her when she sees her, a girl who yells out to her parents to come look at Emma before she disappears  again. It is then Emma realises she is a ghost and has been dead for over a 100 years!

Story 4: The Mark! (Art: Carlos Freixas)

Fliss and Gina move into an old cottage with their parents, as it had been empty for some time, there is a lot of repair work to do. In one room their father tries to paint over a damp patch but it keeps showing through the new paint, the sisters comment that it looks like a figure of a girl. Everyday  the figure seems to get more clearer, the room is colder and at night Gina is woken up by scratching noises downstairs. Gina in particular is getting more creeped out by the house, and at a cafe a local girl overhears them talking about it and tells them the house is haunted by a girl who was walled up in the cottage when it was built and is now out for revenge. Fliss being more practical, thinks the girl is only making things up to scare them, when they go to talk to their parents there seems to be a logical explanation for everything. Mice have been scratching at night and previous owners had a cafe with a highwayman mural,that must now be showing through. Their father is going to cover up the mark with wood paneling, the girls are relieved. The next day they help their mom in another room but are surprised to uncover the highwayman mural there. At the same time, their father is upset the mark is still coming through the wood panel he just dis, and notices it does look more like a figure of a girl, Gina and Fliss are scared, the girl is coming out for revenge…

Thoughts

Spooky stories for a spooky month! There have been a few picture story library books that had a collection of supernatural stories. Debbie had several spooky storyteller, Damian Darke, based books, Mandy had Chill Out! and later Scream! which had 5 short stories. In this book none of the protagonist get happy endings, or they are left ambiguous to their actual fate. They are all quite effective stories for such a short format.

Lonely… is a creepy tale and just when you think that Lyn has escaped, it ends with Annie tracking her down again, will she be haunted forever, will Annie succeed in trapping Lyn or will she find a way to banish Annie for good? The ending is left unresolved, leaving us to speculate what might happen next. Trapped! raises even more unanswered questions, such as why did Fay remember Holburn Hall, was it some connection with Bridie that she was feeling, which is why Bridie also know about Fay and set up her devious scheme? Is Fay forever trapped in the past and will anyone notice that Bridie is not who she says she is? Home Sweet Home! works well as a text story with an unreliable narrator, only in the last spot art panel we can see Emma is out of place in the contemporary setting. The Mark has one of the more frightening endings with the ghostly figure coming out from the wall.  Again, the story ends before revealing their fate—an common approach for ghost stories, where conclusions are left open-ended, allowing readers to use their imagination to fill in the blanks.

Jackie Annual 1981

Miscellaneous, , , , , , , ,

LIVING

A to Z on How to Make the Most of Yourself (pp. 22–23)

Your Jackie Guide to . . . Kissing! (pp. 40–41)

A, B, C of Life, Love and You (pp. 44–45)

Things That Scare Boys (p. 47)

I Was So Stupid . . . (pp. 62–63)

I Didn’t Try to Understand (pp. 82–88) (artist Brian Delaney)

QUIZZES

Are You Nice or Nasty? (pp. 8–9)

Bring Out the Beast in You! (pp. 42–43)

How Moody Are You? (pp. 66–67)

What’s Your Dream Home? (pp. 78–79)

FEATURES

How To Put Him Off You! (pp. 24–25)

Something in the Way He Looks (p. 32)

A Dozen Desperate Measures to Get Yourself into Shape (p. 33)

Boy Talk (p. 34)

Contain Yourself! (p. 34)

Get It Write! (p. 35)

Season’s Eatings! (p. 39)

What Line Is He Handing You? (p. 46)

Are You a Write Give-Away? (pp. 50–51)

Patchwork (p. 64)

Get a Move On! (p. 65)

Clothes for All Reasons! (pp. 74–76)

POP

Your Jackie Christmas Carnival! (pp. 6–7)

Guess Who? (p. 27)

Your Special Jackie Pop-A-Cross! (p. 43)

Which Santa’s Knee Would You Like to Sit On? (pp. 52–53)

Star Turn! (pp. 72–73)

Beautiful Baddies – and Gorgeous Goodies! (pp. 90–91)

BEAUTY

The Look for You! (pp. 17–21)

ASTROLOGY

Your True Colours (p. 2, p. 94)

FUN

You Know You’re a Winter Winner When . . . (p. 5) (artist David Matysiak)

A Dotty Dozen (p. 39)

Spot the Grot (p. 61)

Don’t Monkey Around with the Wrong Boy! (p. 77)

Madge and Beryl (p. 80) (artist Malcolm Bird)

How to Cope with the Festive Season (p. 81)

Where Do the Boys Go in the Winter? (p. 89)

You Know You’ve Come Down to Earth with a Bump When . . . (pp. 92–93) (artist David Matysiak)

FICTION

The Adventures of Leonard J. Watkins (pp. 10–16) (artist David Matysiak)

Fly Me to the Moon (pp. 28–29) (writer Mary Hopper)

A Girl’s Best Friend (pp. 36–38) (artist Santiago Hernandez?)

To Make Him Forget (pp. 48–49) (writer Amanda Mandinian)

If His Love Be True . . . (pp. 54–60) (artist Norman Lee)

FASHION

Be a Cover Girl! (p. 26)

Change Gear – for a New Year! (pp. 30–31)

Look Ahead! (pp. 68–71)

In this entry, we are taking a look at Jackie Annual 1981. Jackie was a DCT title that ran from 11 January 1964 until 3 July 1993. After girls felt they’d outgrown Bunty et al., the next DCT title on offer for them was Jackie, a teen magazine for girls filled with pop stars, teen and fashion features, quizzes, fashion, beauty tips, gossip, agony aunt column, true-life stories and, of course, boys galore. Also in the mix were comic strips and short stories (which declined by the 1980s), with emphasis on romance and family issues. One humour strip, Leonard J. Watkins, was unusual for having a (bumbling) boy as the star of the show. Other cartoon strips included Madge and Beryl.

In its heydey Jackie was the best-selling teen magazine Britain, particularly in the 1970s. The problem page, “Cathy and Claire”, helped to make it so. Jackie also absorbed picture-story title Diana.

The annual itself features DCT artists who are familar to us, including David Matysiak and Norman Lee. They are in charge of the picture stories and spot illustrations. There are no photo stories in the annual. Photos are used for spot illustrations. Stories are comparatively few in number. The teen features, fashion, boys, quizzes and pop stars have a much higher presence, but the stories that are present are a welcome relief to the teen stuff.

The two true-life stories, “I Didn’t Try to Understand” and “I Was So Stupid” (to be fair, the ensuing trouble is not all the girl’s fault) are brought to life in two different ways. The former is in picture story form, drawn by Brian Delaney, and the latter is in text form and illustrated with spot photos that look like more like stock photos than accompanying photos posed by models.

As it is an annual, naturally there are some Christmas features to join the fashion and pop star favourites of Jackie readers.

Heritage Comics – Spellbound Volume 1

Spellbound, , , , ,

Three years there was great excitement when spooky storyteller, Damian Darke appeared on Twitter hinting at a Spellbound revival –

“For four long decades nothing has stirred in these shadows except memories, but now a sigh, a shiver, a whisper as of dark wings beating, or perhaps of pages fluttering in some vast and echoing library…and as Halloween approaches, something awakens…”

Then it was revealed that a digital volume of Spellbound, reprinting “I Don’t Want to Be a Witch” and Damian Darke stories would be released. Suddenly just at it was due to be released the twitter account was deleted, and all traces of it disappeared… a Halloween mystery at the time!  I checked on Comixology at the time, despite promotional material no longer available and was pleased to see that it was there to purchase, but then soon after it was taken off that platform as well! It seems they was some some background reshuffling in the DCT Heritage Comics department. There were rumours of plans for it to be released again, but as the years passed it seemed it was lost in the mist of times, until suddenly for this Halloween it has been released and even more exciting, a launch of new range of digital releases of their archives (also including Commando and Warlord) that will release at the end of each month. More information on Downthetubes website. These books now available to purchase on Amazon.

For Spellbound Volume 1 there is plenty to enjoy. Including reprinting 13 tales from Damian Darke, and in some cases the 1/2 page Special Spellbound text feature, that would come after a shorter story.  Some of my favourite stories make an appearance including Mystery at Howlen Hall, Swamp of Evil and The Cavalier’s Cloak. Other reprints included are a Nightmare text story and several Spellbound covers. Then  we get the full length serial “I Don’t Want to Be a Witch” which appeared in the first fifteen issues of Spellbound, drawn by Norman Lee and a new 6 page sequel to the story with Celia’s daughter, Sophia taking the lead with an ending caption box promising we’ll find out more soon. Another new story starts the book, a chilling Damian Darke tale where two girls Mackenzie and Gwen break into an old house and Mackenzie finds some old spooky comics… a definite fun addition to the Damian Darke collection.

Evidently it’s a very full book and the digital quality is good, with cleaned up and sharp art (especially in comparison  to the tattered yellowing versions of these comics, I’m used to reading!).  The  stories are as engaging as ever and it it is also a thrill to see newer takes on old stories. I am glad that other people will get to enjoy this book now, and I will look forward to what the next edition brings.

Lynne Against Lareno [1978]

Emma, , ,
  • Lynne Against Lareno –  Emma: #01 (26 February 1978) – #09 (29 April 1978)
  • Art: Norman Lee

Plot

Lynne Frankin arrives in Lareno, a small town located just before the Mexican border, to visit her friend Kate Marlow. Kate moved to Lareno to set up a riding school, but when Lynne asks a taxi driver to take her to Kate’s school, he drives off saying there is no such place. The Sheriff and Mayor are also unwelcoming, and the mayor tells her, Kate died of a fever showing her a fresh grave with the markings still wet. The Sheriff, lets her stay in a cell for the night saying the hotel is full and that he will bring her to bus in the morning. But Lynne doesn’t believe their story and wants to stay and find out what happened to Kate even if the whole town is against her.

First she tries to talk to the town doctor but he is uncooperative and the Sheriff is always close by watching. Then she tries to hire a car so she can drive to the riding school, but is told none available. With no other option she decides to walk to Kate’s school, but a fake sign along the way leads her astray. She would be lost in the desert but luckily she figures out by how the sun is casting shadows, how to get back on to the road. She meets a young man, Mike, who is friendly until he finds out who she is, he drives off. She finds er way to Kate’s school which appears to be abandoned but then Sheriff Tully arrives and arrests her for trespassing. A secret friend gives her the bail money she needs through the cell window and the friend also helps by leaving her food, when no-one will sell her anything.

Lynne spies some residents trying to bury something on the outskirts of town until Sheriff Tully clears them off. They are having some worries but the Sheriff tells them to remember what happened to the last person who raised objections. She wonders if they are talking about Kate. Before she can investigate further she is caught again and this time locked in a hotel room. She sees some newcomers arrive and she is about to get their attention when she is stopped by Mike. She also sees Kate but Mike tells her that Kate is dead and who she saw was the Sheriff’s daughter. Thinking Mike is not going to help her she manages to find a way out from where she is being held. She tracks down the strangers she saw earlier and tells them her story, but they in turn says she knows too much and take her captive!

They take her to the riding school and Lynne gets more pieces of puzzle as they seem to think plane crashed there and are looking for something the Sheriff and Deputy arrive and arrest the men and Lynne. Mayor Novak is getting jumpy, talking about taking his share and leaving. Then Lynne sees the Mayor driving off and Deputy shooting after him. Mike tells Lynne to escape in the confusion. Lynne uses the opportunity to search where she last thought she saw Kate, she finds her asleep (possibly drugged) in a cellar, she is unable to rescue her as she is tracked down again. She comes across Mayor Novak’s car he has already been caught and there are men taking crate of gold ingots back to town, now Lynne knows what the town has been hiding. Lynne sees Mike, he helped er before but she doesn’t know if she can really trust him, she isn’t given a choice when more of the Sheriff’s men come after her and start shooting at her, she as to jump into his jeep to escape. It is the right choice as Mike has been secretly helping her. They make contact with state police and rescue Kate. The whole story comes out, a gang had committed a big robbery and were flying to Mexico when their plane crashed near Kate’s school, killing all the crew. The town decided to share out the gold, but Kate and Mike wouldn’t go along with it, which is why they locked up Kate, as Mike was a local they gave him the benefit of doubt that he wouldn’t turn them in. The strangers that arrived were part of the gang looking for the gold. After the police have finished their investigation, Lynne, Kate and Mike leave Lareno for good as there’s nothing left for them there anymore.

 

Thoughts

This must have been fun for Norman Lee to draw, having small American town in the desert, makes it a different backdrop to the frequent British locations. The isolation and unfamilar area, certainly ups to stakes for Lynne too. With seemingly the whole town against her and nowhere close by to go for help, she is left to fend for herself. She has the option of leaving, but shows her loyalty to her friend by sticking around through the hostilities to find out what happened. Lynne also shows herself as resourceful, like figuring out how to get out of desert or finding loose floorboard to escape through. The mystery is intriguing enough as well, the reader must wonder what the town is hiding and is Kate really dead. Along with that there is a lot of action and excitement, such as Lynne getting stuck in quicksand or getting shot at! When she finally goes to strangers for help it turns out they are worse than the people of Lareno!

There are some questions like why would Kate choose this place to start a riding school, doesn’t seem the most lucrative of places to set up a business and it is a long way from England. Also as Mike was person to raise objections initially it seems odd to let him guard Lynne. Sheriff Tully does seem to be running the show, as we do see others a bit nervous of the scheme, so it is interesting that he is not interested in doing a deal with the gang saying he doesn’t do deals with crooks, but considering what he has done to that point the has already crossed the line into unlawful behaviour, but maybe in is mind he has been able to justify his actions. It’s the only time we see him express any morals so we don’t get to develop that further, for most of the story he is just the main antagonist to deal with. The other towns people are unfriendly to Lynne but seem less confident than Sheriff Tully. Of course with so many people involved and everyone getting jumpy its inevitable that their downfall will come. It is an exciting journey along the way and again showed off the variety of stories the Emma comic started with.

 

Bunty Summer Special 1990

Bunty, , , , , ,

Picture Stories

  • Bunty – a Girl Like You (Page 2) [Art: Andy Tew]
  • The Four Marys (Pages: 3-7) [Art: Jim Eldridge]
  • Oh, We Do Like to be Beside the Seaside! (Pages: 12-14) [Art: Terry Aspin]
  • Sister Suzie (Pages: 15-17) [Art: Matias Alonso]
  • The Good Fairy (Pages: 20-22) [Art: Norman Lee]
  • The Comp (Pages: 27-32) [Art: Ron Lumsden]
  • Superlamb (Pages: 38-40) [Art: Matias Alonso]
  • A Place for Misty (Pages: 41-43) [Art: Andy Tew]
  • Pinkie (Pages: 45-47) [Art: Douglas Perry]

Photo Stories

  • A Sister for Liz (Pages: 9-11)
  • My Friend Sam (Pages: 33-35)

Features

  • Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! (Page 8)
  • Club Corner (Page 19)
  • Girls! Girls! Girls! (Page 23)
  • Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan Poster (Pages: 24-25)
  • Oh Boys! (Page 26)
  • It’s Legoland (Page 36)
  • Design a Fashion (Page 37)
  • When the Circus Comes to Town… (Page 44)
  • Bros Poster (Page 48)

*Thanks to Goof for the information and cover picture

Bunty-Judy Summer Special 1976

Bunty, Judy, , , , , , , ,

Cover Art: Doris Kinnear

Picture Stories

  • The Four Marys (Pages: 2-4) [Art: James Walker]
  • Jenny Laker – Record Breaker (Pages: 5, 7) [Art: A E Allen]
  • The Phantom Ballerina (Pages: 8-9, 11) [Art: Mike White]
  • Superstitious Cindy (Page 10)
  • The Last of the Big Ones (Pages: 12-13, 15)
  • Bobby Dazzler (Pages: 17, 19) [Art: Giorgio Letteri]
  • Wee Slavey (Pages: 21-21) [Art: John Leonard Higson]
  • Junior Nanny (Pages: 24-25) [Art: Oliver Passingham]
  • Big Spender (Pages: 28-29, 31) [Art: Robert Hamilton]
  • Big ‘n’ Bertha (Page 32)

Text Stories

  • Some Holiday! (Pages: 26-27) [Art: Norman Lee]

Features

  • How NOT to Ruin your Camping Holiday! (Page 3)
  • It’s a Record! (Page 6)
  • The Space Race (Page 14)
  • Bunty’s Cut-Out Wardrobe (Page 16)
  • Pony Tales (Page 18)
  • Sun Spot (Page 22)
  • Bobby Puzzler! (Page 23)
  • Pick of the Pops (Page 27)
  • Olympic Scrapbook (Page 30)

 

*Thanks to Goof for the information and cover picture

Diana Annual 1978

Diana, , , , , , , , , ,

Picture Stories

  • Stand and Deliver (Pages: 2-3, 126-127) [Art: David Matysiak]
  • Samanta – on the Slippery Slopes (Pages: 7-13) [Art: Norman Lee]
  • The Courage of Caroline (Pages: 21-28) [Art:  Martin Puigagut]
  • All for the Love of Lucy  (Pages: 33-37, 40-44) [Art: Michael Strand]
  • You and Your Yuletide (Pages: 38-39)
  • …And Then There Were Three…  (Pages: 52-62)  [Art: Enrique Badia Romero?]
  • Blanche and the Pirate King (Pages: 67-76) [Art: Jordi Franch]
  • Jo and Co. (Pages 83-88) [Art: Brian Delaney]
  • Mirror, Mirror on the Wall  (Man in Black story) (Pages: 97-103) [Art: David Matysiak]
  • Once Upon a Wish (Pages: 117-124) [Art: Tony Hudson]

Text Stories

  • Christmas Magic (Pages: 14-16)
  • A Home for Sheba (Pages: 29,45,66, 89, 96 & 125) [Writer: Valerie Edwards]
  • Little Red-Riding Hood was Never Like this! Or was she? (Pages: 112-113)

Features

  • Are You on the Beauty Map? (Pages: 17-19)
  • Etiquette Emma (Page: 46-47)
  • Let’s Put Things ‘Write’  (Page: 48, 93)
  • Putting on the Syle (Page: 49-51)
  • Star Spangled Christmas (Pages: 77-80)
  • Are You a Christmas Star? (Pages: 90-91)
  • New Holidays for Old… (Pages: 92-93)
  • The Noel File (Page: 94)
  • Martine and the Ghosts in Her Life! (Pages: 95-96) [By Muriel-Jane Smith]
  • Pretty as a Picture  (Pages:104-108)
  • Redcoat for a Day (Pages: 109-111)

Pop photos/pictures/pin ups

  • David Essex (Page: 6)
  • Wings (Page: 20)
  • Mick Jagger & Ronnie Wood (Pages: 30 – 31)
  • David Soul painting (Page: 32)
  • Olivia Newton John (Page: 63)
  • The Dynamic Bionics painting (Pages: 64 – 65)
  • Star-mp Collection (Pages: 114 – 115)
  • Paul Michael Glaser painting (Page: 116)

 

*Thanks to Helen Fay for information

Diana Annual 1977

Diana, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Picture Stories

  • The Stupid Cupid Saga (Pages: 2-3, 126-127) [Art: David Matysiak]
  • But Some Things are the Same… (Pages: 7-12) [Art: Norman Lee]
  • Ha-Ha Heartbreaker a story without words (Page: 13)
  • Kelly’s Conquest (Pages: 21-28)
  • One Dress Too Many (Pages: 33-38) [Art: George Martin]
  • Jo and Co. (Pages: 43-48)  [Art: Brian Delaney]
  • A Fabulous Four Story – Vengeance (Pages: 53-62) [Art: Jordi or Enrico Badia Romera?]
  • Story Without Words (Page: 67)
  • Can Time Repair a Broken Heart?  (Pages: 71-77) [Art: Tony Hudson]
  • Sadly the Olives Grow…  (Pages: 81-86) [Art: Shirley Tourret?]
  • Strange Things Happen at Christmas (Pages: 103-110)
  • Candelight – Story Without Words (Page: 116)
  • Mirror of Evil (Man in Black story) (Pages:117-124) [Art: David Matysiak]

Text Stories

  • Honeysuckle (Pages: 14-16)  [Writer: Carol Marsh]
  • On The Bewildering Trail Of Ima Kneavezdroppa (Pages: 29, 42, 87, 96 & 125)
  • May was Meant for Dancing  (Pages; 63-66) [Writer: Valerie Edwards, Spot Art: David Matysiak]
  • The Ice Maiden  (Page: 86) [Writer: Valerie Edwards]
  • On the Wings of a Breeze  (Pages: 114-115) [Writer: Sheila Spencer-Smith,Art: Tony Hudson]

Features

  • You And Your Hols. (Pages: 17 – 19)
  • Feeling Dicey? (Page: 20)
  • A Very Special Christmas… (Pages: 30 – 31)
  • Just Imagine (Page: 32)
  • The Way To The Stars’ Tummies! (Page: 39)
  • Yours Sincerely David (Pages: 40 – 41)
  • Something Special (Page: 49)
  • Holidays With The Stars (Pages: 50 – 51) [by Dick Tatham]
  • Papier Mache (Page: 52)
  • With Lots Of Love (Pages: 68 – 69) [Art: Mari L’Anson]
  • What’s Up, Croc? (Page: 70)
  • Budget Boutique (Pages: 78 – 79) [Art: Mari L’Anson]
  • Come Fly With Me (Page: 80)
  • My Journey To A Star (Pages: 88 – 89)
  • Mud, Glorious Mud! (Pages: 90 – 91)
  • Your Christmas Crossword (Page: 92)
  • K For Kenny (Page: 93) [by Chris Redburn]
  • Is Your Face Red? (Pages: 94 – 95)
  • Who’s For You? (Pages: 97 – 101)
  • Rings ‘N’ Things (Page: 102)
  • Top Gear (Page: 111)
  • Days Of Camelot (Pages: 112 – 113)

Pop photos/pictures/pin ups

  • Slik (Page: 6)
  • Queen (Page: 63)

 

*Thanks to Helen Fay for information

Diana Annual 1976

Diana, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Picture Stories

  • Sam and Something Called a Stately Home!  (Pages: 6-11) [Art: Norman Lee]
  • The Love Locket (Pages: 15-22 ) [Art: David Matysiak]
  • Love in Bloom – story without words (Page: 23)
  • Sad September (Pages: 26-32) [Art: Jordi Franch]
  • Jo and Co (Pages: 37-42) [Art: Brian Delaney]
  • Olé! We’re Away or a touch of Marjorcan Magic (Pages: 46)
  • The Manovitch Experiment (Pages: 49-57 ) [Art: Enrique Badia Romera]
  • The Handsome Lad from Old Baghdad (Pages: 67-72)  [Art: George Martin]
  • The Long Lonely Night (Pages: 76-80)
    • Reprinted and translated into Dutch (as “De eenzame nacht”) – Debbie #54 (1980s).
  • The Friday Rocking-Horse (Pages: 82-85) [Art: Shirley Tourret?]
  • Polly Private Eye (Pages: 87-94)  [Art: Jesus Redondo Roman]
  • Skeletons in the Cupboard (Man in Black story) (Pages: 104-110) [Art: David Matysiak]
  • France is Where Her Heart Lies (Pages: 115-121) [Art: Tony Hudson]

 

Text Stories

  • Twas the Night Before Christmas (Pages: 24-25) [Writer: Valerie Edwards]
  • The Case of the Harassed Heiress (Pages: 34-35,43,66, 111) [Art: Mari L’Anson]
  • Dear Sir (Pages:44-45) [Art: Tony Hudson?]
  • Bea’s Year (Pages: 48,95)
  • I Love you, Bobby Denton (Pages: 61-62)
  • Just Justin & Me (Page:75)
  • Keep Your feet in the Sawdust & a Smile on Your Face (Pages: 122-124) [Writer: Celia Harcourt]

Features

  • Inside Cover Picture (Pages: 2-3, 126-127) [Art: David Matysiak]
  • Herb Beauty  (Pages:12-13) [Art: Mari L’Anson]
  • Special Day Specialities  (Page: 14)
  • Looking for Luck (Page: 36)
  • Like a Movie (poem) (Page 43) [by Lee Delaney]
  • Sorry, Wrong Show (Pages; 47)
  • Know-How a helpful quiz for you (Pages: 58-59)
  • It’s in the Bag (Page: 60)
  • Sit Tight Sit Bright (Page: 63)
  • TV or not TV game (Pages: 64-65)
  • Pony Express(ions) (Pages: 62, 66, 101, 114)
  • A Touch of Class (Pages: 74-75)
  • A Cracker of a Cross-word (Pages: 81)
  • Ve Vill Ask the Questions (Page: 86)
  • Especially for You (Pages: 96-97, 100)
  • You and Your Yuletide (Page: 99)
  • Marlyn’s (Chain)Mailbag (Page: 102-103)
  • Whats Yours? (Pages: 112-113) [Art: Mari L’Anson]
  • To Top it All! (Page: 114)

Pop photos/pictures/pin ups

  • David Essex (Page: 33)
  • Alvin Stardust (Page: 73)
  • Gary Glitter (Page: 98)
  • Bay City Rollers (Page: 125)

 

*Thanks to Helen Fay for information

Diana Annual 1985

Diana, , , , ,

Picture Stories

  • One Day in Camelot…  (Pages: 7-16)
  • Rubies of Revenge  (Pages: 21-32, 114-125)  [Art: Paddy Brennan]
  • Becky and Brock  (Pages: 33-45) [Art: Pat Tourret]
  • Yasmin’s Mission of Mercy (Pages: 53-62)
  • Sam 2000  (Pages: 69-77)  [Norman Lee]
  • How Miss Puddlethorpe 1984 became Miss World 1985 (Pages:81-92) [Art: Brian Delaney]
  • Ghost Train – a man in black story  (Pages:97-107 ) [Art: Davd Matysiak]

Text Stories

  • A Gift of Love (Pages: 46-48) [Writer: V. Edwards]

Features

  • David Essex (Page: 6)
  • At the King’s Court (Page: 17)
  • Cinema Blockbusters – Gone with the Wind  (Pages: 18-19)
  • Hart to Hart poster  (Page: 20)
  • Harrison Ford poster (Page: 49)
  • Cinema Blockbusters – Jaws (Pages: 50-51)
  • Act Your Age! (Pages: 52)
  • Persian (Page: 63)
  • Ribbon Rainbows  (Pages: 64-65)
  • Cinema Blockbusters – Star Wars (Pages: 66-67)
  • It’s Magic the Paul Daniels Story (Pages: 68)
  • Cinema Blockbusters – Grease (Pages: 78-79)
  • Tom Selleck poster (Page: 80)
  • It’s a Funny (Miss)World (Page: 93)
  • Border Collie poster (Page:94)
  • Dance!Dance! Dance! (Page: 95)
  • Put a Face on It  (Page: 96)
  • Bucks Fizz poster (Pages: 108-109)
  • Teddy Bears’ Picnic (Pages;110-111)  [by Jane McFie]
  • Fun Food  (Pages: 112-113)