Thursday 15 June 2017

Original Art: Garth on Heritage - Ghost Town (G106)


G106 "Ghost Town" Drawn by Frank Bellamy
"Ghost Town" story began in the Daily Mirror newspaper on 11 April 1973. The original art from one of the episodes is available from Heritage Auction and shows a lovely panoramic shot of a saloon!

Heritage describe the piece:
Frank Bellamy Garth Daily Comic Strip G.106 Original Art dated 4-5-73 (Daily Mirror, 1973). This science fiction strip had a time-travel element to it, which is why today's episode looks more like a traditional Western than the typical spy/adventure-stories of the series. Bellamy really laid on the detail in that fantastic first panel! Crafted in ink over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of 20.5" x 5.25". In Excellent condition. From the Ethan Roberts Estate Collection. 
This story ran from 11 April 1973 - 12 July 1973 (G87-G164) and was reprinted several times. The first time was in The Daily Mirror Book of Garth, (London: IPC Limited, 1975) in Bellamy's lifetime.

However when Bellamy died in July 1976 he was drawing the story "Manhunt" which had yet to appear in the Daily Mirror. Conveniently for the Editor, Mike Molloy, "The Spanish Lady" story in the newspaper was drawing to a close. He decided to run Bellamy's favourite Garth story again - giving him time to see who he could get to replace Bellamy. His successor turned out to be Martin Asbury who was with the strip until its demise many years later

Interestingly, when the Daily Mirror published all the Bellamy stories coloured by Martin Baines, this story ran not only from Saturday 24 September 2011 to 8 November 2011 but again from Friday 25 September 2015 to - Monday 9 November 2015!


"Ghost Town" was also reprinted in Garth Book Two: The women of Galba Jim Edgar, London: Titan Books, 1985. It also appeared in the brilliant stripzine Menomonee Falls Gazette #131 (17 June1974) - #157 (16 December 1974) - 6 daily strips reprinted in black and white.

Want to read more? Here's a set of 6 strips from this story
Menomonee Falls Gazette reprints


WHERE?: Heritage Sunday Internet Comics Auction #121725
SELLER:Heritage
STARTING BID:$260
ENDING PRICE:$478 inc. buyer's premium [£373.92]
No of bids: 8
END DATE: 18 June 2017

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