Richie Wraggs is a fictional comic strip character in the British comic Jackpot, appearing alongside his black cat, Lucky.
Drawn by Mike Lacey,"Comiclopedia - artists" http://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/lacey_mike.htm the strip debuted in Jackpot issue 1 (5 May 1979)"Jackpot issue 1, 5 May 1979". Printed and distributed by IPC magazines in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Malaysia and ran weekly until issue 140 (30 January 1982)."Jackpot issue 140, 30 January 1982." Wraggs featured on the cover of many early issues; his last full cover appearance with Lucky was issue 67."Jackpot issue 67, 30 August 1982."
The first strip sees Richie expelled from his village school in "Little Drudgebury" for bringing smelly cheese to class. He declares, "C'mon Lucky—we'll seek our fortune in the big wide world." Storylines often involved Richie and Lucky finding ways to earn money or food. For example, in issue 137,"Jackpot issue 137, 2 January 1982." Richie receives £10 for lending his candle to a man with a frozen lock. In issue 138,"Jackpot issue 138, 9 January 1982." he attempts to get a theatre job but ends up on stage during a pantomime. The final Jackpot strip (issue 140) shows the pair sheltering from rain in a barn.
Readers voted Richie Wraggs among the top ten strips in several polls: fourth in issue 11,"Jackpot issue # 11. Cover dated 14 July 1979." ninth in issue 19,"Jackpot issue # 19". Cover dated 8 September 1979. ninth in issue 96,"Jackpot issue # 96". Cover dated 21 March 1981. tenth in issue 116,"Jackpot issue # 116". fifth in issue 124,"Jackpot issue # 124". Cover dated 3 October 1981. and eighth in issue 134."Jackpot issue # 134". Cover dated 12 December 1979."
Wraggs also appeared in Jackpot annuals and the 1981 and 1982 Summer Specials. The 1982 special included two new strips by Lacey,"Book Palace" http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/Home_Mike_Lacey.html "Jackpot Special 1982." Printed and distributed by IPC Summer 1982 published after Jackpot'''s merger with Buster''. In one, Lucky injures his paw on a diamond ring and Richie is rewarded for returning it. In the other, they shelter under a cafe umbrella and are given a meal abandoned by a departing coach tour.
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