Swift (comic)

This article is about the UK comics magazine. For the DC Comics character, see Swift (character).

Swift was a British weekly comics magazine published by in the UK as a junior companion to the Eagle.

Swift
Cover from 1958, featuring "Smiley"
Publication information
Publisher	Hulton Press(1954–1959) Odhams Press (1959–1963)
Schedule	Weekly
Format	Ongoing series
Publication date	20 March 1954 – 2 March 1963
No. of issues	461
Editor(s)	Marcus Morris

Publication history

It was founded by the Rev. Marcus Morris and launched by Hulton Press in 1954. After Hultons were sold to Odhams Press in 1959, Swift absorbed Odhams' weekly title Zip and inherited a number of its strips.^[1] Swift was merged into the Eagle in 1963.^[2]

Comics published in Swift

• Arty and Crafty by Geoffrey Bond and Martin Aitchison^[3]
• Calling U for Useless by Reg Parlett^[4]
• The Fleet Family, drawn by Frank Bellamy, 1954^[5]
• The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, classic novel adaptation drawn by Richard Jennings^[6]
• Ginger and Co, drawn by Neville Colvin, 1960-62^[7]
• King Arthur and His Knights, by Clifford Makins and Frank Bellamy, 1955-56^[5]
• Lochinvar’s Ride, illustrated by D. C. Eyles^[8]
• Nigel Tawney, Explorer, drawn by Harry Winslade (as Redvers Blake)^[9]
• Paul English, drawn by Frank Bellamy, Giorgio Bellavitis 1955^[5][10]
• The Phantom Patrol, drawn by Gerry Embleton^[11] (later reprinted as The Ghost Patrol in Smash! in 1966)^[12]
• The Prisoner of Zenda, classic novel adaptation drawn by Patrick Nicolle, 1961^[13]
• The Red Rider, drawn by Jim Holdaway^[14]
• Robin Hood and His Merry Men, by Clifford Makins and Frank Bellamy, 1956-57^[5]
• Robin Hood and Maid Marian, by Clifford Makins and Frank Bellamy, 1957^[5]
• Sir Boldasbrass by John Ryan^[15]
• Smiley, about a young Australian boy, written by Moore Raymond^[16]
• Swiss Family Robinson, classic novel adaptation drawn by Frank Bellamy, 1954-55^[5]
• Tammy the Sheepdog, drawn by G. William Backhouse^[17]
• Tarna the Jungle Boy, drawn by Harry Bishop, 1954-63^[18]
• Tom Tex and Pinto, western drawn by Harry Bishop, 1954-55^[19]

Archival holdings

The British Library holds copies of Swift from 20 March 1954 to 2 March 1963.^[20]

References

• Children's literature portal

Citations

1. Zip entry, An International Catalogue of Super-Heroes. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
2. Win Wiacek, The Best of British: Swift FA The Comiczine, 27 April 2012
3. Eagle writers - Geoffrey Bond (1920 - 2009) aka Alan Jason, Eagle Times, 31 December 2009
4. Regindald Parlett at Lambiek Comiclopedia
5. Frank Bellamy Checklist - Comics
6. Richard Jennings at Lambiek Comiclopedia
7. Neville Colvin at Lambiek Comiclopedia
8. Derek C. Eyles gallery, Yesterday's Papers, 24 February 2009
9. Harry Winslade at Lambiek Comiclopedia
10. Giorgio Bellavitis at Lambiek Comiclopedia
11. Phantom Patrol, Chris Weston, 23 June 2009
12. Stringer, Lew (31 January 2016). "BLIMEY! The Blog of British Comics: 50 Year Flashback: SMASH! No.1".
13. Steve Holland, The Prisoner of Zenda part 1, Bear Alley, 3 March 2010
14. Jim Holdaway on Lambiek Comiclopedia
15. John Ryan (1921-2009), Eagle Times, 25 July 2009
16. Steve Holland, Moore Raymond, Bear Alley, 20 March 2007
17. Steve Holland, G. William Backhouse, Bear Alley, 18 February 2009]
18. Harry Bishop at Lambiek Comiclopedia
19. Steve Holland, Tom Tex and Pinto part 1, Bear Alley, 26 February 2010
20. British Comics: Select list

Sources

• Swift at the Grand Comics Database