Comics art and writing of Denis Gifford

Denis Gifford was a prolific comic artist and writer, most active in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Gifford's work was largely of humour strips in British comics, often for L. Miller & Son. He was an influential comics historian, particularly of British comics from the 19th century to the 1940s.

Gifford was also a committed comic collector of British and US comics, and owned what has been called the "world's largest collection of British comics."

Comics art and scriptwriting: Marvelman titles Gifford wrote, drew and often created a wide selection of back-up strips that featured in a number of the Marvelman titles, usually one-page humour strips, as well as the Marvelman Family strip in its own title. Gifford used a variety of pen-names for the work, including Belteshazzar Oakworm, Clubtwee Gleeb and 'Fred Granule Bepp'., Joe King, Jack Upp and Belle Tupp. These humour strips may have been reprinted across a number of titles in the L. Miller & Son stable.

Young Joey; in Marvelman #185, #188 (1957), #300 (c. 1960), #341 (Sept 1960) #368 (Dec 1962) and others; L. Miller & Son - art/script Flip & Flop; in Marvelman #185, #188 (1957), #365 (Sept 1962), and others; L. Miller & Son - creator/art/script The Friendly Soul; in Marvelman #185 (1957), #341 (Sept 1960), #369 (Jan 1963) and others; L. Miller & Son - art/script Krazy Krockitt; in Marvelman #341 (Sept 1960), and others; L. Miller & Son - creator/art/script The Friendly Soul; in Young Marvelman (1954 series) #314 (Sept 1959), #334; L. Miller & Son - art/script The Friendly Soul; in Young Marvelman Annual (1955); L. Miller & Son - art Young Joey; in Young Marvelman Annual (1955); L. Miller & Son - art Wild Bill Hiccup; in Marvelman #300 (c. 1960); L. Miller & Son - creator(?)/art/ script Nelly on the Telly; in Marvelman #300 (c. 1960); L. Miller & Son - art/ script Flip and Flop in Marvelman Annual (1959); L. Miller & Son - creator/art/script Marvelman Family; in Marvelman Family (1956–59 series); various issues (1950s); L. Miller & Son - art/script

Comics art and scriptwriting: Western titles Gifford produced a variety of Western strips, including Western adventure strips for Ace High Western Comics and The Sheriff, and several one-page Western humour strips for L. Miller & Son's numerous Western titles, with a regular inside back cover slot in Gunhawks Western.

Ace High' Rogers versus Redmask; in Ace High Western Comics #1 (of 1) (June 1946); International - art/script Various strips; The Sheriff #1 (1948); Screen Stories - art (and script?) Roy Rogers and Trigger in Apache Rose: a Republic Picture in Trucolor; in The Sheriff #2 (1948); Screen Stories - art Bill Elliott in Republic's Old Los Angeles; in The Sheriff #3 (1948); Screen Stories - art (and script?) Wild Bill Hiccup; in Daniel Boone #31 (c. 1960 - no date)(1957 series)(poss. repr. from Marvelman #300); L. Miller & Son - art/ script Dan'l Goone; in Daniel Boone (1957 series) #31 (c. 1960 - no date); L. Miller & Son - art/ script Krazy Krockitt; in Daniel Boone (1957 series) #31 (c. 1960 - no date); L. Miller & Son - art/ script Jim Pooey the Dopey Depitty; in Daniel Boone (1957 series) #31 (c. 1960 - no date); L. Miller & Son - art/ script Various strips; in Annie Oakley #2–17 (July 1957–58); L. Miller & Son - art (and script?) Jim Pooey - the Dopey Depitty; in Pancho Villa - Robin Hood of Mexico #63 (1959); L. Miller & Son - art/script Daniel Boone; in Gunhawks Western #2–10 (Nov(?) 1960– Jun 1961); Anglo (Atlas) - art (and script?) Corkeye; in Gunhawks Western (issue unknown) (c.1960); Anglo (Atlas) - art/script Jester James; in Gunhawks Western #7 (March 1961); Anglo (Atlas) - art/script Bonko the Dopey Depitty; in Gunhawks Western #8 (April 1961); Anglo (Atlas) - art/script (poss. reprinted in Davy Crockett (1956 series) #41 (no date); L.Miller & Son Sam Gass; in Gunhawks Western #10 (June 1961); Anglo (Atlas) - art/script Wynott Burp; in Gunhawks Western; Unknown issues (c. 1961); Anglo (Atlas) - art/script

Comics art and scriptwriting: personal projects Gifford created, or co-created, several titles, as well as publishing or editing and drawing together the work of other creators in a number of titles. Most notable was probably his co-creation with Bob Monkhouse of the superhero Streamline and the Streamline Comics title, but his short-lived Ally Sloper title was a significant if unsuccessful attempt to blend nostalgia for British comics with the more adult approach of the Modern Age to reach new audiences. Gifford and Monkhouse also combined to form Streamline Publications, specialising mostly in reprints of US comics and pulp novels.

Streamline; Streamline Comics #1 (1947); Cardal Publishing - co-creator/art/cover art/script Terry Traylor (cover); Streamline Comics #2 (1947); Cardal Publishing - co-creator/cover art Bully Beef; Streamline Comics (issue unknown) (1947); Cardal Publishing - creator/art Super Worm; Streamline Comics (issue unknown) (1947); Cardal Publishing - creator/art Search for the Secret City (repr. in Black Tower Gold Collection vol. 3); Streamline Comics #4 (1947); Cardal Publishing - art/script Inky the Imp of the Inkpot; Streamline Comics #4 (1947); Cardal Publishing - creator/art/script Panto Pranks; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing -creator/art/script Little Red Riding Hood and the Hungry Wolf; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Cinders and her Sour Sisters; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script The Klever Kids; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Jest and Lest; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Raddled Riddles and Red Riding Hood 'Dot to Dot'''; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Panto Pranks Playtime; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Simple Simon Christmas Crackers; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Puss in Boots; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Various strips; Panto Pranks #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing - creator/art/script Fizz Comics #1 (of 1) (April 1949); Modern Fiction - script/editor Tiger-Man; Ray Regan #1 (of 1) (April 1949); Modern Fiction - creator/art/script/editor Various strips; Ray Regan #1 (of 1) (April 1949); Modern Fiction - script/editor Tobor the Great; Star Comics #1–2 (1954); D Publications - script (art by James Bleach) Jill Day; Star Comics (unknown issue) (1954); D Publications - script/ art Various strips; Star Comics #1–2 (1954); D Publications - ed./art Various strips; Ally Sloper #1–4 (of 4) (1976); Alan Class Publishing - editor Political Fun; Ally Sloper #2 (1976); Alan Class Publishing - script (art by Terry Wakefield) Various strips; Comics 101 #1 (of 1) (1976); Convention souvenir comic - art Sheerluck Jones, Super Sleuth; Melvin's Money Fun #1–2 (Sept 1981–1982); Department for National Savings - creator/art/script Koo-koo Korner; Melvin's Money Fun #1 (and #2?) (Sept 1981–1982); Department for National Savings - creator/art/script

Comics art and scriptwriting: other titles The majority of Gifford's output is of humour strips, for a wide range of titles. He also co-created, wrote and drew the superhero strip Streamline and drew and wrote several adventure strips. Magical Monty; All-Fun Comics; Vol.3, #1–4 (1942); A. Soloway. - Art/script Pansy Potter the Strongman's Daughter(?); The Beano; Various issues; (c. 1943); D. C. Thomson. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Comic Capers; Vol.3, #1–4; (c. 1944); A. Soloway. - Art (and script?) William Wagtail; Knockout (1939–63 series); Various (1945); Amalgamated Press. - Art/script Mr Muscle; Dynamic Comics; Various issues (1945); Gerald C. Swann. - Creator/art/script Miserable Mick and Jolly Roger(?); Big Little Comic; #1 (of 1) (1945); PM (Marx). - Art (and script?) Various strips; Silver King; #1 (of 1 issue) (1946); PM (Marx). - Art (and script?) Herbie; Corker Comics; #1 (of 1) (July 1946); International. - Art/script Various strips; Crack Shots; #2 (of 2) (July-Sept 1946); Fisher. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Laugh Fun Book; #1 (of 1) (Sept 1947); PM (Marx). - Art (and script?) Various strips; Whacky Rodeo; #2 (of 2) (1947); Transatlantic/ Funnibook (Cartoon Art). - Art (and script?) Various strips; Comic Adventures; Vol.5, #1–4 (c. 1947); Cardal Publishing. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Fun Parade; #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Funfair; #1 (of 1) (1949); Hotspur Publishing. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Jumbo Comics; #1 (of 1)(1949); Hotspur Publishing. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Amazing Comics; #1 (of 1) (Oct 1949); Modern Fiction. - Art/script Mr. Busybody; Comet Comics (1949 series); #170 (20 October 1951); Amalgamated Press. - Art/script Our Ernie; Knockout (1939–63 series); Various (1950s); Amalgamated Press. - Art Steadfast McStaunch; Knockout (1939–63 series); Various issues, incl. #657; (1950–52); Amalgamated Press. - Creator/script/art Dicky Diddle; Knockout (1939–63 series); Various issues (1952); Amalgamated Press. - Art Simon the Simple Sleuth; Knockout (1939–63 series); Various issues (1950s); Amalgamated Press. - Art Sammy Sprockett and his Pocket Rocket; Chips; #2983 (6 June 1953); Amalgamated Press. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Family Fun; #1 (of 1) (1953); Pentland. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Space Comics; #51–54, #75 and others (1954); ABC (Arnold Book Company). - Art (and script?) Speedsmith; title unknown; issue unknown; (c. 1950s); ABC (Arnold Book Company. - Art (and script?) Various strips; Space Commando Comics; #51–59 (1954); L. Miller & Son. - Art (and script?) Steadfast McStaunch; Knockout Fun Book; 1955 - 1 of 1 (1955); Amalgamated Press. - Art Puzzle Corner; Knockout Fun Book; 1955 - 1 of 1 (1955); Amalgamated Press. - Art The Friendly Soul (repr. from Marvelman); TV Heroes; #8–26 (October 1958-August 1960); L. Miller & Son. - Art (and script?) Nelly on the Telly; TV Heroes; #20 (and poss. others) (c. 1960); L. Miller & Son. - Art (and script?) Krazy Krockitt; TV Heroes; #20 (and poss. others) (c. 1960); L. Miller & Son. - Art (and script?) Beat the White Snide Clock; MAD Magazine (UK edition); #2 (March 1959);EC Comics. - Art Various strips; TV Features; #2–5 (Nov 1960– March 1961); Anglo Features. - Art (and script?) Sam Gass; TV Features; unknown issue (April–May 1961); Anglo Features. - Art (and script?) Corkeye; TV Features; #6–7 (April–May 1961); Anglo Features. - Art (and script?) Jester James; TV Features; #8 (Jun 1961); Anglo Features. - Art (and script?) Our Lad; Captain Miracle (1960–61 series); #7 and others (1961); Anglo Features. - Art/script Adventures of Baron Munchausen; Classics Illustrated; #146 (April 1962); Gilberton Company. - Art Jester Moment; TV Tornado; #1–2, #4–5, #8–9, #12–14, #17, #22, #29, #38, #81 and others (1967–68); City Publications. - Art/script Dan Dan the TV Man; TV Tornado; #1–5, #8, #9, #12, #18, #20 and others (1967–68); City Publications. - Art/script News of The Universe Television Service; TV Tornado; #13 (1967); City Publications. - Art/script Dan Dan the TV Man; TV Tornado Annual 1967, 1968 (1967, 1968); World Distributors. - Art/script Jester Moment; TV Tornado Annual 1968 (1968); World Distributors. - Art/script Steadfast McStaunch; Whizzer & Chips; #1, #2, #3 and others (1969); IPC. - Creator/art/script Koo-Koo Klub; Whizzer & Chips; #1, #2, #3 and others (1969–?); IPC. - Creator/art/script Jolly Jack; Super DC; #6 (1969); Top Sellers Ltd. (Thorpe & Porter). - Art The Friendly Soul (repr. from Marvelman?); Superman Bumper Book 1970 (1970); Top Sellers Ltd. (Thorpe & Porter). - Art/script