First Issue: 23rd February 1952
Last Issue: 18th May 1974
Copyright: Fleetway
Robot Archie
Lion comic was the first of three ‘Big Cat’ themed comics, the other two being Tiger and Jag. The first issue of Lion was dated 23rd February 1952 and introduced ‘The Jungle Robot’ (George Cowan). ‘The Jungle Robot’ was the strongest mechanical man in the world and was the creation of professor C.R.Ritchie who left him in the care of his nephew Ted and friend Ken Dale. ‘The Jungle Robot’ strip was later renamed ‘Robot Archie’.
Captain Condor
The first issue also saw the introduction of ‘Captain Condor’ by Frank S Pepper and Ronald Forbes. ‘Captain Condor’ – ‘Outlaw of Space’ was presumably IPC’s solution to the popularity of The Eagle’s Dan Dare. In the year 3000 Earth is ruled by a dictator and Captain Condor is a imprisoned on Titan for refusing to transport slaves. ‘Captain Condor’ and his friend Pete planned an escape.
‘Captain Condor’ was replaced on the front cover of lion in 1957 by ‘Paddy Payne’ (Mark Ross). ‘Paddy Payne’ and friend officer Dick Smith were pilots with the RAF. Paddy was the RAF’s top trouble shooter and was often involved in dangerous missions such as fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.
The Spider
One of the most famous characters to appear in Lion was ‘The Spider’ written by Ted Cowan and artwork by Reg Bunn.. ‘The Spider’ envisioned building a crime empire like none that had gone before. Subtitled ‘King of Crooks’, the character later decided to turn his attention to fighting crime and became a superheroe.
King of Crooks
‘The Spider’ was later reprinted in Vulcan comic as well as being published in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and India.
Lion Comic First Issue
23rd February 1952
