Frank Bellamy begins his five year run on Garth

Today in the Daily Mirror newspaper we see the beginning of Bellamy's original story that started his 5 year run on the strip. As mentioned earlier, Allard hung around in a role that confused even Bellamy at the time and - in my opinion - hindered Bellamy's artwork in places. When you see horizontal dashes in the background for clouds - Allard; when you see zip-a-tone/letraset - Allard.

Jim Edgar was the author of Garth from the story called "The Brain" (dated 25 April 1966) taking over from Peter O'Donnell at that time and provided Bellamy with scripts. The men later found out they were both Kettering boys and together with their wives met up socially!

The first episode Frank Bellamy illustrated was on 12 July 1971 (E162) and follows yesterday's episode where Garth, in the woods, is chasing and killing a grizzly bear. He is weakened by the tussle and swoons.

"As Garth slumps towards the ground he hears a booming gutteral voice... "The tall white-eye with yellow hair from the great iron bird will come among our people"...and the mysterious time spiral attuned to the hyper-sensitive psyche swings him away into the past"

Martin Baines has kindly sent Bellamy's first episode along which he is colouring. So off you go and enjoy. And don't forget to follow the story in the Daily Mirror today onwards in full colour

© Daily Mirror