Tom Thug celebrates Buster's 35th Anniversary (1995)

I was looking through some old copies of Buster the other day and even by 1995 the long running publication was still a very good comic. Full of wild comedy action from the likes of Jimmy Henson, Bert Hill, Jack Oliver, Mark Bennington and many more. OK, it had become a fortnightly comic by then, and some reprints were appearing inside, but it was still a lively fun comic that easily held its own against rivals like the Beano.  

I was a regular contributor on Buster from 1988 to 1996 (with reprints of my Tom Thug strips following until the final issue in 1999). The issue we're looking at today is the 35th Anniversary issue, dated 26th May 1995. Sadly, this would be Buster's last significant birthday as the comic would end before it reached its 40th. 

Editor Allen Cummings was always open to ideas and we had a good working relationship. He really was a great editor. (He's retired now but still enjoying his football.) I suggested that my Tom Thug strip that week could include a bunch of guest stars from the comic's past, and he was happy to oblige. Characters such as Faceache, Big Chief Pow-Wow, Elmer, Thundercap, Tin Teacher, and even mighty Galaxus made a cameo appearance. 

This page was a pleasure to write and draw. Admittedly, you could probably see the "Birthday BASH" punchline coming a mile off, but hopefully the sense of occasion made up for it. 

Further on in the comic I also designed an advert for the next issue, which would begin a multi-part pull-out booklet reprinting classic strips from over the 35 years. I designed that too, and I'll post more about that another time.