The History: 1960 - 1969
A rare copy of the first ever Buster
The first issue of Buster comic (seen
above) went on sale on Saturday 21st May 1960. For the first time we met the son of
Andy Capp, a character who was already enjoying his own comic strip and later TV
fame.
An Andy
Capp Strip, Source Unknown
The first edition not only introduced us to
Buster, but other long running favourites, including Lazy
Sprockett, Roaring Forties and The Terrors of Tornado Street (who made a guest appearance in
a Tom Thug Strip to celebrate Buster's 34th
Birthday)
At the time, Fleetway publications had several other comics running. Eight months
into Buster's run, one of these titles merged with our favourite comic.
First Ever Issue of Radio Fun
Radio Fun launched in October 1938 and
merged with Buster on the 25th February 1961, bringing characters such as Whacko, Superman, Andy and Sandy, Charlie Drake and Wagon Train.
A copy of Buster and Radio Fun from May 1961
Buster's second merger was with the long
running Film Fun, which was launched in January 1920.
The two merged in September 1962, and new
characters to Buster from Film Fun, included Bruce Forsyth
and Nick Shannon.
Buster and Film Fun from September 1962
By this time, the Buster strip itself had
changed to the more familiar Buster's Diary, present for many years in the comic and
the annual. Other strips which may be familiar to later readers include The Leopard from Lime Street.
The First Ever Issue of The Big One from October 1964
Just before the fifth birthday of Buster,
the comic made it's third merger, taking over The Big One which launched in October
1964. This merger bought Charlie Peace, Smiler, and Sinbad Simms.
Buster with The Big One from February 1965
By this time, most of the Buster strips had
regressed into Black and White with just the front page in colour. Large colourful
strips would not return until the ninties, with Black and White being used for the
seventies, and red being the only colour used on some strips in the eighties.
Over the next few years Buster would introduce some of it's own new strips
including, Pete's Pocket Army and Nellyphant. Around the same time, Buster made it's final
merger of the sixties.
Giggle's First Issue, April 1967
Giggle joined Buster in 1968, after just
under ten months as a solo title. It's merger bought characters Captain Swoop, Cruncher and Patch Eye Hooker.
Buster and Giggle from March 1968
As Buster moved into the 1970s, it had
already incorporated four titles, with many more to come.
Take me to the 1970s
Take me to the 1980s
Take me to the 1990s
Take me back to The Contents Page