The British weekly boys' comic Lion was published between 1952 and 1974 by the Amalgamated Press, Fleetway Publications and IPC.
The 10,000 Disasters of Dort
Published: May 18, 1968, to November 23, 1968 Writer: Mike Butterworth Artists: Luis Bermejo, José Ortiz When Ratta, dictator of Dort, finds his planet has fifty years before being destroyed by its sun he identifies the Earth of 2000 as the only suitable home for his people. To force Earth into agreeing, he announces he will be unleashing ten thousand disasters on Earth. Sure enough, New York is destroyed when Ratta's technology renders all of the metal in the city unstable; Paris is made uninhabitable due to an aggressive alien weed; Melbourne is overran by enlarged animals; tea is used to most of the population of London are transformed into violent maniacs; incredible weaponry is given to the savage Jamali tribesmen of central Arabia; all electricity on Earth is temporarily removed; a brief ice age freezes the English Channel; Germany is overran by a plague of ants; thousands are blinded by an artificial sun; and 90% of the remaining population reduced to a bestial state by tainted wheat. Opposing Ratta is Britain's top scientist Mike Dauntless, aided by French orphan Gaston. The story was reprinted in Lion from December 22, 1973, to May 18, 1974; this second run featured a modified conclusion so the story finished before the merger with Valiant. In 2023, Rebellion Developments produced a trade paperback containing the entire serial as part of their Treasury of British Comics series of collected editions.
Adam Eterno
Published: March 20, 1971, to May 18, 1974 After quaffing the Elixir of Life, Adam Eterno is doomed to immortality and drifts through time trying to find a solid gold weapon that can kill him. Inherited from Thunder and continued in Valiant until the latter was merged with Battle
The Amazing Adventures of Mister X Published: March 7, 1953, to October 17, 1959 Writers: Edward R. Home-Gall A globetrotting hero helps out the helpless with jujitsu and expert shooting skills, keeping his identity a secret to ward off reprisals. Originally an illustrated text story, before a switch to comic strip format from August 23, 1958. The character is no relation to the earlier strip "The Amazing Mr. X" from DC Thomson's The Dandy.
The Amazing Jack Wonder Published: February 5, 1966, to May 28, 1966 Artist: Bill Lacey Sailor Captain Jack Wonder gets caught up in a civil war in tropical banana republic Losana. Used as a guinea pig by evil scientist Varan, he is accidentally given the ability to change into any object. Breaking free, he and his chirpy first mate 'Lofty' Locke overthrow the country's dictator Quantro. Later, the pair signed up to the RAF and fought the Nazis.
Andy's Army Published: September 28, 1968, to April 26, 1969 Wanting to emulate his father, a Colonel in the British Army, 14-year old Andy springs a trio of prisoners from the brig and heads behind German lines to fight a guerrilla war.
Big Hank – The Soft-Hearted Heavyweight Published: February 23, 1952, to June 28, 1952 Writer: Duncan Matheson Honduran circus strongman Hank tries to launch a career as a heavyweight boxer with the aid of friend and acrobat Tich Wilson. While Hank has the strength for the sport he is held back by his reluctance to actually hit anyone without provocation.
Billy the Kid Published: November 7, 1959, to April 23, 1960 Artist: Fred Holmes Lone avenger William Bonney and his steed Satan hunt down wrong-doers in the Old West. The only strip continued from Sun after the merger. The story was later edited and reprinted as "The Black Avenger" in Hurricane.
Black Max
Published: 20 March 1971 to 21 October 1972 Writer: Frank S. Pepper Artist: Alfonso Font Baron Maximilien Von Klorr is Germany's most fearsome ace pilot of World War I – partly due to being helped by a gigantic bats. With his Fokker Dr.I painted black, he soon earns the nickname Black Max. His opposition comes from the Royal Flying Corps, particularly plucky Lieutenant Tim Wilson. Inherited from Thunder. The supporting character of Doktor Gratz would later spin off into "Secrets of the Demon Dwarf".
Boy Kidd Published: June 11, 1966, to July 16, 1966 Writer: René Goscinny Artist: Morris A town at the mercy of juvenile outlaw Boy Kidd is offered salvation by louche travelling gunslinger Buck Bingo. Modified reprints of "Lucky Luke" from Spirou; continued from the short-lived The Champion revival.
Brett Marlowe Published: February 23, 1952, to July 24, 1954 Writer: John Fordice A private investigator, Brett Marlowe is an expert in detective work and frequently unravelled cases with only the smallest of clues, before bringing miscreants down in a two-fisted fashion. Marlowe was assisted by his faithful chauffeur Rusty Race. Only made sporadic appearances. For the majority of the strip, "cases" lasted a single two-page episode, though later some serial stories were created.
Britain AD2170 Published: July 25, 1970, to March 13, 1971 Artist: Solano López After a five-year mission in space, the probe ship Explorer – crewed by astronauts Captain Vic Lacey, Doc Keelson and 'Technical Twins' Harvey and Tragg – crash on landing. Due to Earth Time and Space Time running at different speeds, they discover 200 years have passed, and the Britain of 2170 has regressed to a primitive state. The group uses the remnants of technology that still work to survive warring groups of savages – particularly the barbaric Snakemen – and strange monsters as they try to rebuild civilisation.
Bruce Kent Invites You To Spot The Clue Published: June 22, 1957, to May 2, 1964 Detective Bruce Kent and feckless sidekick Jim solve crimes, encouraging readers to use the same clues available to them to guess the result of the case first. From 1962 the strip's title was modified to the more competitive "Bruce Kent Challenges You to Spot the Clue". The interactive "spot the clue" format was later adapted for Zip Nolan.https://comics.bournemouth.ac.uk/story.php?title=Bruce+Kent+Invites+You+To+Spot+The+Clue
The Can-Do Kids Published: October 16, 1971, to April 22, 1972 Writers: Pat Mills, John Wagner Artist: Carlos Cruz, Tom Kerr Upon leaving school four friends set their hearts on travelling around the world and begin a number of unconventional fundraising activities – much to the ire of a retired Brigadier turned local busybody.
Captain Condor
Published: February 23, 1952, to February 26, 1966 Writer: Frank S. Pepper Artist: Keith Watson, Geoff Campion, Brian LewisAndrew Darlington, "Captain Condor: Space Hero in Search of an Artist", The Mentor 84, October 1994, pp. 5–8, 11 Ace pilot of the year 3000, Condor spearheaded the Space Patrol's victory over the megalomaniac Dictator after being banished to Titan. He was aided by the moon's natives, the unintelligent but amiable Geeks. This achieved, Condor led further Space Patrol missions with his customary derring-do. Captain Condor was created by Frank S. Pepper as a competitor to Eagles Dan Dare. The strip was on the front and back covers (initially the only pages featuring colour) until being ousted by "Paddy Payne" in 1957. New adventures continued until 1964, when Captain Condor switched to reprinting old adventures until ending entirely in 1966.
Carson's Cubs Published: September 10, 1966, to July 21, 1973Artists: Geoff Campion, Fred Holmes Retiring after a glittering playing career, football legend Joe Carson takes up the management reigns of old club Newton Town, who are languished in the third division with no funds thanks to penny-pinching, asset-stripping director Arthur Braggart. Despite this Carson strives to improve the club, building a competitive side around young players like teen hotshots Andy Streak, Rocky Stone and Tiddler Smith. Shortly after the merger with Eagle the strip guest-starred the Circus Wanderers as opposition.
Code Name – Barracuda Published: September 10, 1966, to February 24, 1968Artist: Antonio Sciotti Superhumanly strong United Nations special agent Barracuda and his similarly enhanced partner Rollo use an array of high-tech gadgetry to keep the world safe from American supervillain King Cobra and his criminal organisation W.A.M. (War Against Mankind). Barracuda and Rollo also appeared in Fleetway's Secret Agent Super Library digest series, alternating with Johnny Nero
Dan DarePublished: May 3, 1969, to October 24, 1970 The pilot from the future fends off the threat of Treen leader the Mekon. Inherited from Eagle. Budget cuts had already seen the strip switch to reprints in 1967, and these continued in Lion. The repeats aborted the end of the "Rogue Planet" storyline which had been running in the last Eagle to start the stint in Lion from the beginning of "Reign of the Robots". In contrast to its original colour format, the art was rendered in greyscale. After a reprint of "The Phantom Fleet" with a compressed conclusion, "Dan Dare" disappeared from Lion after October 24, 1970.
Danger ManPublished: June 11, 1966, to September 3, 1966Artist: Jesús Blasco Special agent John Drake carries out numerous hazardous missions against corrupt governments and criminal organisations. Uniquely among Lions oeuvre, "Danger Man" was a licensed strip based on the ATV television series of the same name, with the art using the likeness of star Patrick McGoohan. Years later it was crudely modified as "Matt Mason – Secret Agent" for Bumper Story Book for Boys.
The Day the World DrownedPublished: November 30, 1968, to April 26, 1969Artist: Ted Kearon A colossal underwater earthquake radically alters Earth's geography. Having survived the quake in a reinforced diving vessel, research scientists Bill Sterling and Don Worth find themselves in the middle of an arid wasteland, while their brothers Jamie and Bobby have to deal with a suddenly flooded London. Reunited, the quartet search the radically changed planet for other survivors while avoiding the insane Ark-building Drage family.
Dr. Mesmer's Revenge Published: October 16, 1971, to October 21, 1972Writer: Donne AvenellArtist:''' Carlos Cruz When thieves raid the collection of hypnotist Dr. Mesmer, he uses magical cat statue Bulbul to control 5,000-year-old mummy to punish them. His brutal methods soon see him become a feared villain. The strip was originally announced to be part of Thunders line-up but debuted in Lion after the titles were merged. Both Dr. Mesmer and Angor would reappear as villains in Rebellion Developments' The Vigilant.
Drive For Your life Published: December 6, 1969, to January 31, 1970 Artist: Barrie Mitchell Balkan aristocrat and racing driver Count von Dracca is exposed as a coward and drummed out of motorsport. He spends the next five years devising a series of brutal traps and kidnaps his six old rivals – German Urich Krutz, British Roland Howard-Price, Italian Alberto Guilo and Americans 'Porkchop' Porter, 'Big Mike' Murphy and Rev Ryder – and forces them to take part in a series of racing challenges as revenge, with only one to survive.
Flame o' the Forest Published: February 7, 1970, to November 7, 1970https://comics.bournemouth.ac.uk/story.php?title=Flame+O%27+The+Forest Artist: Massimo Belardinelli When his mummers' troupe is massacred by cruel Norman warlord the Raven in 1066, Saxon orphan Hal is taught a variety of skills by his mortally wounded uncle Sarl, enabling him to become the Flame o' the Forest, taking vengeance on the Raven and his knights.
Fleetfoot Fights the Redskin Rebels Published: January 7, 1956, to September 8, 1956 Writer: R.G. Thomas Chief Fleetfoot of the Cawlees plans to make a peace treaty with settlers but a brave named Blank Panther vehemently disagrees and starts a civil war within the tribe.
The Flying Fortress Published: March 31, 1973, to June 30, 1973 Artist: Giorgio Trevisan