Leslie 'Styx' Harding's Cheeky

One of the joys of being a comics enthusiast is discovering unexpected character/artist combinations. Here's one such - the toothy funster depicted by Styx in an episode of Paws, first published in Krazy dated 23 April 1977.

Krazy 23 April 1977
Art: Styx (Leslie Harding)

I didn't realise until doing a bit of research just now that Styx was, in the early 1950s, a mentor of Reg Smythe, the creator of Andy Capp.

For more examples of Cheeky drawn by non-regular artists, follow this link.

Speaking Frankly

Peter 'Cheeky' Gray has posted Frank McDiarmid's interview in Crikey! magazine from er, actually, what year was it? I know it's volume 2 number 12, Nov/Dec, but I can't find a year in my copy of the issue in question other than a mention of 2009 in the article concerned so I guess that's when it was printed.

I think Peter has already posted the interview on his Facebook page, but as I don't exist on that site, nor do I want to, I'm unable to follow his posts there. Facebook, unlike Blogger, doesn't allow people to view content on their site if they're not logged in. However Peter has kindly reposted a few select items from his Facebook page on his blog. Thanks!

Cheeky Weekly cover date 13 October 1979

Art: Frank McDiarmid

With this issue, Cheeky Weekly's second year of publication is completed, at least in the sense of it being the 52^nd week since the first anniversary edition - Cheeky Weekly's second year was of course marred by the loss of 3 issues.

 

After last week's composite cover it's a relief to see original Frank McDiarmid art again gracing the front page, as Cheeky engages a goldtop-encumbered Doctor Braincell in Sunday morning banter.

Barry Glennard depicts the kids of Stage School for the first time, deputising for usual artist Robert Nixon. Barry, whose work has appeared in Cheeky Weekly four times before, will provide the Stage School artwork on two further occasions.

Art: Barry Glennard

There's further ghosting on the following page, as Nigel Edwards (Tub's regular artist) stands in for Ian Knox on 6 Million Dollar Gran, as he did last week, and on 12 earlier occasions. This week's Gran episode is her first to be reduced to a single page.

Elephant on the Run suffers two nasty knocks on the noggin in the course of this week's amnesiac escapade. The first cranial clout causes him to forget that he had hitherto forgotten who he is, yet seemingly without restoring the memory of who he was before he forgot forgetting.

Art: Robert Nixon

Cheeky Weekly's other amnesiac, Mystery Boy, is more successful than our elephant chum in having his memory restored as all ends happily in the final episode of this World War 2 tale.

On Wednesday, Cheeky has a meeting with a different Baker's Boy...

Art: Frank McDiarmid

Yet more ghosting is evident on the Disaster Des page as Jimmy Hansen steps in for usual artist Mike Lacey (the only occasion in Cheeky Weekly on which  Jimmy drew the catastrophe-causing kid although Jimmy did draw him again in the 1982 Cheeky Annual).

Art: Jimmy Hansen

On Saturday Cheeky undertakes no particular pursuit, instead announcing “I fancy a stroll”. During his mirthful meanderings he encounters Lily Pop who seems to be in school crossing guardian mode despite the seats of learning being closed.

Art: Frank McDiarmid

Another instance of ghosting brings the comic to a close, as Barrie Appleby stands in for Frank McDiarmid on Snail of the Century (the first time that Frank hasn't drawn the strip).

Thus Frank McDiarmid provides 8 of this week's 9 Cheeky's Week elements.

Be back here soon for a look at Cheeky Weekly's 2nd birthday issue!

Cheeky's Week Artists Cover Date 13-Oct-1979

Artist	Elements
Frank McDiarmid	8
Barrie Appleby	1

Cheeky Weekly	Cover Date: 13-Oct-1979, Issue 101 of 117
Page	Details
1	Cover Feature 'Dr Braincell' 2 of 3 - Art Frank McDiarmid
2	Sunday - Art Frank McDiarmid
3	Calculator Kid - Art Terry Bave
4	Stage School - Art Barry Glennard (first art on feature)
5	Stage School - Art Barry Glennard (first art on feature)
6	6 Million Dollar Gran - Art Nigel Edwards
7	Monday - Art Frank McDiarmid
8	Joke-Box Jury
9	Joke-Box Jury
10	Tuesday - Art Frank McDiarmid
11	Speed Squad - Art Jimmy Hansen
12	The Gang reprint from Whizzer and Chips - Art Robert MacGillivray
13	The Gang reprint from Whizzer and Chips - Art Robert MacGillivray
14	Elephant On The Run - Art Robert Nixon
15	Mystery Boy (final appearance) reprint from Whizzer and Chips - Art John Richardson (final art on feature)
16	Mustapha Million - Art Joe McCaffrey
17	Mustapha Million - Art Joe McCaffrey
18	Wednesday - Art Frank McDiarmid
19	Ad: IPC 'Do you have trouble getting copies of Cheeky Weekly' 4 of 5 \Ad: Pop-A-Points
20	Chit-Chat
21	Chit-Chat\Tub - Art Nigel Edwards
22	Thursday - Art Frank McDiarmid
23	What's New, Kids
24	Ad: Mr Bellamy's
25	Friday - Art Frank McDiarmid
26	Disaster Des - Art Jimmy Hansen (single art on feature)
27	Ad: IPC 'Monster Fun Annual'Ad: 'Buster Book' 2 of 2
28	Why, Dad, Why? - Art John K. Geering
29	Paddywack - Art Jack Clayton
30	Saturday - Art Frank McDiarmid
31	Saturday - Art Frank McDiarmid
32	Snail of the Century - Art Barrie Appleby (first art on feature)