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Tuesday 25 September 2012

Mimosa Wonder Woman 1

This is Wonder Woman 1, published by Mimosa (SA Magazine Co) +/- 1963-1964.
It reprints the cover and the following  story from DC Comics' Wonder Woman 139 (1963):
"The Day Wonder Woman Revealed her Secret Indentity!"

32 pages,  glossy colour cover, black and white newsprint interior.

Here is the cover of issue 1 and DC Comics' original cover:
Another copy of Issue 1 Cover:
House ad for Detective Comics and Batman Giant:
See Also:
Mimosa Comics

Mimosa Batman 10

This is Batman 10, published by Mimosa (SA Magazine Co) +/- 1960.
It reprints the cover and the following 2 stories from DC Comics' Batman 127 (1959):
"Batman's Super-Partner"
"The Hammer of Thor"
 24 pages, full-colour, newsprint stock cover and interior pages.
These titles were printed in a smaller size (243x165mm) compared to the original DC Comics title.
The printing reproduction from the original was very good quality.

 Here is the cover of issue 10 and DC Comics' original cover:
Competition Winners Page:
See Also:
Mimosa Comics
Mimosa Detective Comics Series
Mimosa Batman Newsprint Series

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Chronology of South African Comic Books - 1960s

From 1959 to 1964 Mimosa Publications started reprinting numerous DC Comics and other American titles:

Here is the cover of Batman 15:
For further information see:
Mimosa Comics

In 1960 Andre De Beer drew "Speurder Loot Louw" for Justitia

In 1960 Chris Du Plooy drew "Danie Theron se Verkenner" for Die Brandwag.

Here is a sample strip from Danie Theron se Verkenner:

From 1960-1962 Len Sak drew the comic strip "Pletz" for Zionist Record and SA Jewish Chronicle. In 1963 he published his own Jewish children's comic book "Gibor", which ran for four issues.  Gibor contained the strips "The Kaplans", "Kupi", "Dov" and "The Secret Tunnel" - the latter three strips were continued in Zionist Record in 1964. In 1964 he drew the comic strip "Honey" for Elethu Mirror, and from 1968 to 1980 drew the comic strip "Cherrie" for The World, Sunday Post and Weekend World.

For further information see:
Len Sak

In 1961-1962 Daniel Erasmus drew "Rooi Jan" for Die Brandwag

In the early 1960s David (Dov) Fedler drew "Hail Caesar" for New Nation, "The Hunters" for The Star, "Buzbee" for Garden and Home, "Captain Industry" for Industrial Managment.

In 1962 Johann Roos drew "Harrie the Hippie" for Personality.

In 1963 Johan van Niekerk drew  "Die Olifante van Kalanga"  and "Uys Barnard" for Huisgenoot.

In 1963 Tony Grogan drew "The Blots" for Daily Dispatch, and in 1968-1969 he drew "The Van Riebeecks of Doringvlei" for Farmers weekly.

Here is a sample strip from The Van Riebeecks of Doringvlei:

In 1966 Johan Van Niekerk drew "Fritz Bender" for Die Huisgenoot.

Here is a sample strip from Fritz Bender:
For further information see:
Johan van Niekerk

In 1968 Keith & Lorna Stevens started their comic strip "Flip Foster", which appeared weekly in The Star.

For further information see:
Keith & Lorna Stevens

In 1968 Mike Valentine drew "Adam" for Rand Daily Mail.

Here is a sample strip from Adam:

In 1969 Sean Latham drew "Waterhouse" for Rand Daily Mail.

In the late 1960s Carel Birkby (writer) and Peter Ogilvie (illustrator) produced the strip "Stroppie's Lot" for Sunday Times.

Here is a sample from Stroppie's Lot:

In the late 1960s Ivor Van Rensburg drew  the strips "John Graydon", "Famous Mysteries" and "True Tales of South Africa"  for various newspapers. He also drew "Just Nuisance" for the Weekend Argus.

Here is a sample from John Graydon:

In the late 1960s Len Lindeque drew "Springbok" (written by Ralph Loubser) for Dagbreek en Landstem, "Olaf Bouwer" (Written by Stoffel Pienaar) for Rapport and "Black Bullet" for Bona.

Here is a sample from Olaf Bouwer:

In 1969 Frank Purcell drew "Uncle Rupert" for Farmer's Weekly.

Here is a sample from Uncle Rupert:
For further information see:
Frank Purcell

In 1969 Richard Schikkerling drew "Vrystaat" for Rand Daily Mail.

Also in the 1960s Photo Story Magazines became very popular:
 
For further information see:
Photo Story Magazines

In June 1964 the doors opened - and South Africa started selling hundreds of imported DC and Marvel titles. Here are a few covers from that era - showing South African price stamps:
See Also:
Chronology of South African Comic Books - 1920s to 1940s
Chronology of South African Comic Books - 1950s
Chronology of South African Comic Books - 1970s

Photo Story Magazines - Ruiter in Swart - Rowers van Marula DVD review

After all these years - a Photo Story Magazine brought back to life. The legendary South African fictional hero "Ruiter in Swart" rides again!

Ruiter in Swart - Rowers van Marula is a new film, only available on DVD. It is the first in a  series of films (six films planned), produced by Ruiter in Swart Produksies.

This film will appeal to fans of the original Ruiter In Swart series, Afrikaans film fans and nostalgia buffs alike.

Vonk De Ridder reprises the role on Ben (Ruiter in Swart) - the retired hero. He is called on by ZARP (Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek Polisie) to assist in helping to capture a gang of cattle thieves and weapons smugglers. He dusts off his famous black outfit - and rides to the rescue on his black stallion.

An excellent production - I enjoyed the acting, cinematography, music, theme song. Vonk De Ridder was truly impressive as the hero on his horse, and I especially enjoyed all the fight scenes. How wonderful to see this courageous hero, although many years have passed since his last adventure, still able to defeat the enemies and ride off into the sunset victorious. Reminiscent of all the great Cowboy films - but it retains a true South African charm - that will leave you with a lump in the throat.

I hope this DVD sells well - and I look forward to future volumes in this series.

Cover of the DVD:
See Also:

Tuesday 11 September 2012

Mimosa The Atom 1

This is The Atom 1, published by Mimosa (SA Magazine Co) +/- 1963-1964.
It reprints the cover and the following 2 stories from DC Comics' The Atom 8 (1963):
"Lockup in the Lethal Lightbulb!"
"The Purloined Miniatures"
Also reprinted is the following story from DC Comics' House of Mystery 37 (1955):
"The Modern Nostradamus"
 32 pages, colour cover, black-and-white interior pages (259x179mm).

 Here is the cover of issue 1 and DC Comics' original cover:
 House ad for Batman and World's Finest:
See Also:
Mimosa Comics

Tiger Ingwe

Many Thanks to Nick Wood for this image of Tiger Ingwe (advert taken from Mighty Man 2) - a series of comic books published by Afri-Comics in 1976-1978.

For more information of Afri-Comics and Mighty Man see also:
Afri-Comics
Mighty Man
Afri-Comics Tiger Ingwe Series

Sunday 9 September 2012

Photo Story Magazines - Ruiter in Swart

Many Thanks to Sven Barsby for this article on the Ruiter in Swart Series and the NEW LIVE-ACTION DVD - which is sure to be popular amongst fans of this classic series:

Ruiter in Swart was one of the first Photo Story Magazines published by Republican Press, first appearing in 1966, just after Kyk/See, Mark Condor and Dr Conrad Brand. Arguably the most popular "cowboy" photo story ever published, the story features the character Ben in the Lowveld of the 1880s. After his son is kidnapped, he makes it his life's ambition to root out all evil and find his son. When the series ended with issue no 491 (after a run of 17 years), all Ben's attempts to find his son had been unsuccessful. The role of Ben, Ruiter in Swart, was played by Vonk de Ridder, an established actor at the time with films such as "Voor Sononder" and "Kimberley Jim" with Jim Reeves, to his credit. 

Cover images of issues no 1, 15, 119 and 400:

Owing to popular demand, Ruiter in Swart Productions has brought this Classic South African fiction hero back, producing a film in 2012. 
Vonk de Ridder reprises the role of Ruiter in Swart, almost 30 years since the last issue saw print. 
In this new film Ben is retired from the ZARP (Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek Polisie), but when he is called on to assist in apprehending cattle thieves, possibly led by his long-lost son Eben, he has no hesitation in donning his famous black outfit, strapping on his gun belt and setting out on his black stallion to pursue the criminals. Production of the film "Ruiter in Swart" was completed in August 2012 and the DVD is now available for purchase to the general public. The DVD will not be distributed commercially.

A True South African Legend - come to life! Order your copy today!

Cover of the DVD:
To order this DVD, contact:
Altus van Wyk, cell no 0732483104
The length of the film is 60 minutes, and the cost R100.00 plus postage

See Also:

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Mimosa Batman 9

This is Batman 9, published by Mimosa (SA Magazine Co) +/- 1960.
It reprints the cover and the following 2 stories from DC Comics' Batman 125 (1959):
"King Batman the First"
"The Last Days of Batman"
 24 pages, full-colour, newsprint stock cover and interior pages.
These titles were printed in a smaller size (243x165mm) compared to the original DC Comics title.
The printing reproduction from the original was very good quality.

 Here is the cover of issue 9 and DC Comics' original cover:
 See Also:
Mimosa Comics
Mimosa Detective Comics Series
Mimosa Batman Newsprint Series

Mimosa Tales of the Unexpected Series

These are a series of covers reprinted by Mimosa in 1959-1960. DC Comics' original issue number in brackets:

This is one of the first seven titles that Mimosa started reprinting in 1959 (Western Comics, Tales of the Unexpected, Falling in Love, Mystery in Space, Romances, Batman and All-Star Western).

Many thanks to John Campbell for the picture of issue 2.

1 (33); 2 (32); 3 (48); 4 (35); 5 (36); 6 (37); 7 (38); 8 (39); Giant Edition 1 (78):

See Also:
Mimosa Comics