The History: 1980 - 1989

During its penultimate decade, Buster absorbed three of the six remaining Fleetway publications. In February 1982, Jackpot joined Buster, becoming the 8th magazine to do so.

Jackpot Issue 1, from May 1979
Jackpot Issue 1, from May 1979

This bought in new characters such as The Winners, Top of the Class and Jack Pott himself. The Leopard of Lime Street was still going strong, being the final adventure story Buster was to use in its pages. Red was appearing in the centre and back pages, the first colour for many years.

Buster and Jackpot February 1982
Buster and Jackpot February 1982

However, all comics were suffering with the new technologies that were coming out, with comic reading becoming less the thing to do. Every comic felt the brunt of the trouble, but Fleetway publications seemed to be feeling the worst.

School Fun from October 1983
School Fun from October 1983

Seven months after it’s launch, School Fun joined Buster in 1984. At the same time Whopee (considered by some to be the third great Fleetway comic with a run of over 10 years) was entering it’s final stages before joining Whizzer and Chips.

Buster and School Fun March 1985
Buster and School Fun March 1985

More about this in the Mergers section. School Fun’s arrival at Buster comic bought with it more familiar characters to later readers like School Belle, Young Arfur and Walt Teaser.

Nipper Issue 1 from January 1987
Nipper Issue 1 from January 1987

Eight months into it’s run, Nipper joined Buster in September 1987, leaving just three comics to Fleetway’s name (Oink! Whizzer & Chips and Buster). Nipper kept Buster going some more, with chracters such as Brad Break, Ricky Rainbow, Mighty Mouth and, of course, Nipper himself.

Nipper and Buster from September 1987
Nipper and Buster from September 1987

Oink from May 1986
Oink from May 1986

Although starting strong, crazy comic Oink!, joined Buster’s pages after a two and a half years solo run. New characters included Tom Thug's Skooldayz and Pete's Pimple.

Buster and Oink! from November 1988
Buster and Oink! from November 1988

Now boasting more colour pages, and with X-Ray Specs on the front cover Buster appeared to be strengthening with the new life from it’s more recent mergers. However, time’s were still tough in the comic industry, and with now just two titles to it’s name, Fleetway and IPC were losing what had been a comic empire.

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