1970s Comics

Living above my folks’ newsagent shop in the 70s, gave me access to a whole host of comics and magazines. Some of the weekly British comics for girls I remember were: Bunty, Tammy, Jackie, Blue Jeans, Patches, Oh Boy! and Fab Hits. Here’s a bit more detail on the top three.

Bunty was published by D. C. Thomson & Co. from 1958 to 2001. It consisted of a collection of many small strips, the stories typically being three to five pages long. In contrast to earlier and contemporary comics, it was aimed primarily at working-class readers under the age of 14, and contained mostly fictional stories. Well-known regular strips from Bunty include The Four Marys, Bunty — A Girl Like You, Moira Kent, Lorna Drake, Luv, Lisa, The Comp, and Penny’s Place. I've included a cover from the 1990 issue to illustrate how the artwork changed in a couple of decades.

Tammy was published by Fleetway, and at its height, Tammy sold 250,000 copies per week. Every Tammy issue was a collection of stories, usually serial instalments, that lasted three or four pages and often focussed on bleak Cinderella themes: a working class heroine, constantly thwarted hope, and overt violence against girls, usually from an older authority figure. Many stories were full of cruelty and adversity, based on the understanding that girls wanted stories that made them cry. Tammy's merge with Misty brought darker, horror tones, and the merge with Jinty brought more science-fiction. Tammy published 689 issues from 6 February 1971 to 23 June 1984, when it merged with Girl volume 2. Other titles which had merged with Tammy include Sally, June, Sandie and Princess (vol. 2).

Jackie was published by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd from 11 January 1964 until its closure on 3 July 1993 – a total of 1,538 issues. It was the best-selling teen magazine in Britain for ten years, with sales rising from an initial 350,000 to 605,947 in 1976. The best-ever selling single issue was the 1972 special edition to coincide with the UK tour of American singer David Cassidy. Jackie published a mix of fashion and beauty tips, gossip, short stories, and comic strips. The latter were usually illustrated with line drawings or posed photographs, especially if the story involved a "reader's true-life experience." Both the comics and the short stories invariably dealt with either romance or family issues.
The centre pages of the magazine usually contained a pull-out poster of a popular band or film star. The magazine featured a section called Silly Star File, a humorous interview with figures from the world of pop music. Jackie became very popular with young teenage girls, not least because of the Cathy and Claire problem page, which received 400 reader letters a week and dealt with controversial issues that were nonetheless relevant to the readership. However, the subjects covered in the column were not reflective of the majority of readers' letters, which focused on sex-related issues — DC Thomson as a result kept the editorial brief, but created a series of help leaflets which they sent to letter writers. In 1974 the NHS made the contraceptive pill free on prescription, and so under editor Nina Myskow, the magazine introduced a Dear Doctor column, which covered what were termed as "below the waist issues".

Calamity Chicks 2.3

Meet the Cast
Here are some of the main players in Chloe's Chaos. Most of them appear in one or more other books in the series.

Chloe Bell
Chloe wishes she’d been bright enough to go to grammar school, but her folks placed more emphasis on her looking good enough to catch a rich husband who would look after her. She makes several poor choices – particularly concerning the guys she dates, resulting in her becoming embroiled in several dangerous situations. 
Tina reckons Chloe has more spunk than all of the boys put together, and that people don’t see courage and spirit hiding under her sweet smile and humble manner.

Tina Meredith
Chloe describes her best friend Tina as a bold courageous adventurer, who turns into a what the Chartwell nasties would call a spotty, four-eyed swot. Although they drift apart when they go to different high schools, Tina returns just when Chloe hits rock bottom and pulls her through a tough patch.

Drew Masters
Something happened to Drew that summer in France. He’d picked up a sophisticated air, talking about drinking espressos in bars. His style had changed considerably, with long, floppy hair and an arty scarf which he kept on until one of the teachers demanded he remove it. His mannerisms were similarly flamboyant, resulting in him earning an unsavoury label. Unfortunately, he didn’t do himself any favours, leading to horrid consequences.
Justin felt threatened by him, suggesting she introduce her fashion consultant. Caught wrong-footed, Chloe played for time. “Drew, this is Justin. And this is my … friend, Drew.” She dropped the “very good” at the last minute, but the tiny pause had Justin raising an eyebrow.
“Boyfriend?” He leaned closer, using a stage whisper. “Or girlfriend?”

Justin Palmer
After a pre-teen crush, Justin becomes Chloe’s love interest for far longer than a girl ought to tolerate. Here’s what happened when her friends met him:
Penny gestured behind Chloe. “Don’t look now, but that boy’s been staring at you for ages.”
Janet immediately looked. “Which boy?”
“The gorgeous blond talking to your mum.”
“This must be the mystery boy Helen’s been keeping away from us. What a dish.”

Janet Jackson
When Janet and her family moved to Warmington, Chloe was the only one at Oakfield Juniors to welcome Janet, and she in turn welcomed Chloe into her family, introducing her to her cousin, Penny, and sister, Helen.

Helen Jackson
Helen was dating Justin when Chloe met him for the second time. Jealous of his attraction to the younger girl, Helen made some nasty accusations, resulting in a traumatic return to Copperford Park. But all’s well that ends well.

Skater Steve
Steve, a speed-skater who’d taken a shine to Chloe the last few times she’d been skating, offered to coach her. He seemed uneasy about the attention as her friends stared unashamed at his athletic body filling the figure-hugging jumpsuit to perfection, and Janet raved about his animal magnetism. But he definitely had an eye for the ladies and getting to know him better revealed some major concerns.

Biker Ben
Ben was what most people would refer to as a “greaser,” turning up at the chemist in overalls encrusted with grime and sweat due to his job as a mechanic. But Brenda reckons, “he cleans up rather well. And he’s devoted to his gran.”
He woos Chloe with gentle, old-fashioned courtesy, and his incorrigible Granny Em says “each of you is exactly what the other needs – you will do some marvellous healing. Unfortunately, his demons and loyalty to a nasty Hell’s Angels chapter put all manner of strain on their relationship.

Posh Paul
Paul had bags of confidence and looked like someone off the telly, with an expensive suit, understated gold jewellery and a sculpted body which said he worked out. After charming Chloe and her friends, treating them to fine wine and delicious delicacies. Chloe agrees to accompany him to posh places, but draws the line at being dolled up like a Barbie doll. Despite his lavish generosity, she spotted “something a bit dodgy about him I can’t quite put my finger on.” She had no clue to the deep-seated resentment he held because of horrible incidents at school.

Athletic Andy
Chloe stumbled straight into a tall, well-built stranger, who righted her and then flashed a warrant card. She tried to rein in her natural reaction to this hunk of manhood whose broad shoulders filled out the stylish leather jacket, but her – admittedly drunken – instincts were to flirt outrageously. Several encounters later she was totally smitten, but he too was hiding a startling secret.

Calamity Chicks 2.2

This scene from Chloe's Chaos features most of the major players. Have fun.

    Something happened to Drew that summer in France. He’d picked up a sophisticated air, talking about drinking espressos in bars. His style had changed considerably, with long, floppy hair and an arty scarf which he kept on until one of the teachers demanded he remove it. His mannerisms were similarly flamboyant, and when he called her Chloebelle, she giggled. “That’s not my name.”
    “It so is. Chloe Bell, see. And belle means beautiful in French, which is what you are. When I’m a famous fashion designer, you’ll be my muse.”
    “You mean with wings and a harp?” She loved stories of Roman and Greek gods.
    “No.” He grinned, acknowledging her meaning. “My inspiration. You have the perfect figure and looks for a model, and I will dress you in fabulous clothes. The world will fete us and I will drink champagne from your slipper.”
    She giggled at his dramatic gestures. “It better be made of glass, otherwise it’ll just leak out.”
    “I never had you down as Cinderella.” He fluffed out her hair and held it above her head, dragging down a couple of curls at her ears. “Now you mention it, I can see you in a princess style with tons of chiffon.”
    “Which would make you her fairy godmother.”
    They jumped at Justin’s words – neither had heard his approach. His next words deprived her of deniable plausibility.     “Hi, Chloe. I finally remembered where I’d met you.” His grin smacked of lascivious leer. “You always enjoyed being a princess to my prince charming. Aren’t you going to introduce your fashion consultant? I must say, seeing you at the party, he’s doing a grand job.”
    Drew let go of her hair, his face wobbling as he stood back, folding his arms.
    Caught wrong-footed, she played for time “Drew, this is Justin. And this is my … friend, Drew.” She dropped the “very good” at the last minute, but the tiny pause had Justin raising an eyebrow.
    “Boyfriend?” He leaned closer, using a stage whisper. “Or girlfriend?”
    “Don’t be mean,” vied with “None of your business” in her head, but all she managed was, “Where’s Helen?”
    “Who?”
    “Your girlfriend.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His wink said otherwise as he strutted off.
    Drew’s face was one big question mark as she tried to go for a suitable explanation.
    “I – I met him–”
    “No need to explain.”
    “Yes there is. We were playing kids games. You know, cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians.”
    “With all those princes and princesses.” His dry tone and sceptical expression compelled her to elaborate.
    “With his cousin and my friend, Tina. A few years ago.”
    “If you say so.”
    “I do.” Why wouldn’t he believe her, and why was it so important he did?
    “Listen, Chloebelle, it doesn’t matter. But he looks like bad news and he’s obviously got his mind set on you. I’d warn you to watch out, but it’s not my place.”
    “Of course it’s your place, Drew Masters. Don’t you know you’re my best friend in the whole world–”
    “Apart from Janet and Penny.” He seemed determined to make her feel bad and she had no clue how to convince him of her loyalty. His face was close and it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to press her lips to his.
    Big mistake. Huge.
    He pulled back as though reacting to a slap instead of a kiss and she shrivelled inside, stumbling away from the expression on his face.

    Penny found her in the loos. “Did Janet find you?”
    “Why?”
    “She’s mad as hell – said if she found you she’d give you a warning you wouldn’t forget in a hurry. I didn’t think she meant physical violence, though.”
    “What?” With a sniff, Chloe swiped at her eyes. “What am I supposed to have done?”
    “Made a play for Helen’s boyfriend, that’s all. Nothing major.” Her tone said the opposite.
    She gulped. “I didn’t.” Her voice sounded weak.
    “We all saw you giving him ‘the look’ at the party.”
    “I didn’t know he was going out with Helen.” And he made out to Drew that he wasn’t.
    “I don’t believe it was just innocent childhood games between you two. There was obviously something more – he couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”
    “Except when he was practically making out with Helen on the dance floor.” Why would no one believe her?
    The door burst open and Janet strode in. “What’s going on here?” She rounded on Penny. “What did you tell her?”
    “Just that we didn’t believe her story about meeting Justin at some fictitious den.”
    “I can show you.”
    “Right. We’ll be waiting by the gates, and it better be real if you know what’s good for you.”
    The bell called them back to lessons and she was never so glad to be in a maths class with no one glaring at her, calling her a liar.

    They were waiting for her, joined by Helen and an even grimmer-faced girl everyone knew of as a right hard case. No words were exchanged as they virtually frog-marched her through the small estate past Oakfield Junior School.
    But the worst possible thing happened when they reached Copperford Park – the den was gone. As the older girls swapped triumphant looks, she tried to get her bearings – it was just past the gardens on the left. Wasn’t it? Tina had always found the hidden entrance, and Chloe never took much notice.
    “I knew you were lying.” Helen scowled. “Confess – what really happened?” All four glared in unison.
    Feeling like a criminal, Chloe couldn’t think straight. She closed her eyes, fearing the worst.

    Willing the memories to come back, she tried seeing the route from Tina’s house in her mind and realised they would have come in a different entrance. She needed something which would put it all into context. Opening her eyes, she spotted the old factory roof and took off.
    Oblivious to the startled shouts, she ran. The element of surprise meant she reached the area with enough time to spot the yew tree hiding the entrance. She darted behind it just as Helen’s friend, Charlie, reached out to grab her.
    “Watch out for the root.” Her warning came just in time, but the butch girl’s momentum had her sliding down the slope.     Chloe grabbed her arm to steady her.
    Charlie whooped. “What a ride. Thanks kid. Looks like you weren’t lying after all.” She ran back up to direct the others in, helping them past the tricky bit. They peered at the scene out of a Tolkien novel: wild, overgrown and full of dangers for the unwary.
    Helen strode up, folding her arms. “Okay, so you weren’t lying about this place, but what actually happened here? And don’t bull me about cowboys and Indians.”
    “It started off as that. Tina and I joined in with Justin and Danny – his cousin.”
    “He’s never mentioned him.”
    “They didn’t get on. Justin …” She glanced away.
    “Spit it out. I know he’s no angel.”
    “He used to boss him around. And poor Tina – he always made her and Danny be the bad guys.”
    “I’m getting the picture. So you were the princess and he fought past the other two to rescue you.”
    She nodded. “It was thrilling – he brought along swords and guns and made it really exciting.”
    “So what aren’t you telling me?”
    “Nothing. I swear, that’s everything.”
    “Did he do anything when he rescued you?” Her intense glare said she knew.
    “Once. He demanded a reward. A kiss – just a peck.”
    “That’s it? He didn’t lay a hand on either of you?”
    “What? No!” She flinched. “I promise, it wasn’t like that. Why do you ask?”
    “Fair enough. I had to ask. There was a rumour of a boy forcing young girls to show their knickers.”
    Chloe cringed. “Gross. Well he certainly didn’t do that to us – we only played with them for a few weeks.”
    “I’m sorry to put you through it, but I need to know what kind of boy I’m going out with. Do you fancy him?”
    Chloe shrugged. “What do you think? He’s handsome and charming, and what a mover! But now I know he’s yours, I wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole.”
    Charlie chuckled. “Now that’s something you might wanna try, Hel.”