#the topper

[all-action-all-picture]

June 1983 ad for The Topper Summer Special. DC Thomson.

[chuckbbirdsjunk]

[downthetubes]

While “Nick Kelly” spent most of his time in DC Thomson’s weekly The Topper comic dealing with crooks, spies and mad professors these two episodes from one of his very first extended adventures in 1961 (from the issues cover dated 29th April and 6th May 1961 respectively) show that he also came into contact with a number of alien races who viewed Earth with predatory eyes.

Thus, long before he met the Bubble Men from Globula, this story introduced us to the 'Morons' from planet Mor (not forgetting their leader the 'Arch-Moron'!). In some ways Kelly acted as a kind of planetary protector like the Doctor in Doctor Who, even though that TV series wouldn't air for another couple of years. (Art, and probably script, by George Martin, with thanks to Philip Rushton)

[downthetubes]

Homage to Doctor Who turns up in all sorts of places – especially British weekly humour comics of yesteryear. In this case, as a cameo in the first episode of “The Tyme Twins”, created for Topper by Tim Quinn, with art by John Geering

Who Remembers The Topper’s “Tyme Twins”?

[ginge1962]

Front & rear covers to The Topper Annual 1978.

[peacemore-springs]

The Topper

Originally, a strip named ‘Mickey the Monkey’ appeared on the front cover of The Topper.

A Topper is also a single-handed racing dinghy.