Sparky (1968)

One of the comics that I used to get as a slightly younger child was Sparky. Published by DC Thompson who also owned The Beano and The Dandy, arguably two of the most famous British comics of all time. However it is very much a produce of it's time as can be seen from the terribly stereo typed Sparky character that appeared on the front page.

Like most kids at the time, I didn't think about who or what Sparky was supposed to represent as such things were not on the agenda in those days. Sometimes when reading old literature in any form (like Uncle Tom's Cabin) one has to realise this was a different world that people lived in.

Of course we all know better now and reprints of this strip are unlikely to appear. Like the Golliwog such things are now seen what they are, simply racist.

Not long after the issue above appeared, Sparky disappeared and was replaced by the far more acceptable Barney Bulldog.



There were a number of fondly remembered features such as Keyhole Kate, Hungry Horace, and Pansy Potter.

Well I remember those strips for some reason.

 

Sparky ran from 1965 to 1977 when it merged with The Topper.



Not sure they'd use a title like Danny's Tranny these days either!