Mandy (comics) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mandy (comics) |
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First issue of Mandy, 21 January 1967
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Thomson |
| Schedule | Weekly |
| Format | Ongoing series |
| Genre | Romance, Humour |
| Publication date | 21 January 1967 – 11 May 1991 |
| Number of issues | 1,269 |
Mandy was a popular British comic book magazine especially for girls. It was published every week by D. C. Thomson & Co. for many years. The first issue came out on 21 January 1967. It ran until 11 May 1991, when it joined with another comic called Judy. Together, they became Mandy & Judy and continued for 315 more issues. Finally, on 24 May 1997, it merged with Bunty.
What Was Inside Mandy?
Most of the stories in Mandy were told through pictures, like a comic strip. These stories usually appeared in parts, with 2-3 pages in each weekly issue. Most stories lasted for about 8 to 12 weeks.
Some common ideas you'd find in Mandy stories included:
- Girls who were orphans and had to live with mean relatives.
- Girls who faced blackmail or tough times to keep a secret.
- Heroines who worked for cruel bosses or criminals.
- Stories about saving animals from harm.
- Girls who pretended to be disabled to trick people.
- Girls who got into trouble because of bad luck or misunderstandings.
- Stories about girls who were under a curse or had magical objects that caused problems.
- By the 1980s, there were also stories about boyfriends.
The stories often taught a lesson. Good characters who suffered usually found happiness in the end. Bad characters, like liars or bullies, would get what they deserved.
Popular Stories
Two of the most loved and longest-running picture stories were Angel and Valda.
- Angel: This story was about Angela Hamilton, a rich girl from the Victorian times. She found out she only had a year left to live. So, she decided to spend her last days helping orphaned and unwanted children in London's poor areas. She became known as "Miss Angel."
- Valda: Valda's adventures took place in many different times and places. She was a girl with amazing powers and seemed to live forever. Valda got her strength from a special "Crystal of Life" that she carried. She traveled the world, helping people who were being treated unfairly or who were threatened by dark magic.
Mandy also had stories told only with words, like short novels. These were also released in parts each week. One of the most popular text stories was The Guardian Tree. It followed the Shaw family, five children who became orphans in Victorian times. To avoid going to the dreaded poorhouse, they lived in a cave on the moors, under a huge tree they called the "Guardian Tree." This tree seemed to have mysterious, helpful powers. Sometimes, the most popular text stories, like The Guardian Tree and The Sad Star, were later turned into picture stories.
A Glimpse at Mandy Strips
Mandy featured many different comic strips over the years. Here are a few examples that show the kinds of adventures girls could read about:
- Angel: As mentioned, this was about Angela Hamilton, a kind Victorian lady who helped poor children.
- Valda: The super-girl who used her "Crystal of Life" to help those in need across different times and places.
- A Friend for Fay: Fay Ashton, an orphan, found misery with her mean cousin Regina when she moved in with rich relatives.
- A Slave Called Sandra: Sandra Best lived with her aunt and uncle who treated her like a servant. She found joy in her sewing talent.
- Dad Must Never Know!: Sally Randall secretly trained to be a show-jumper because her father had forbidden ponies.
- The Guardian Tree: The story of the orphaned Shaw children living secretly under a magical tree to avoid the poorhouse.
- The Sad Star: Annabel Richards was a talented girl forced to work hard by her cruel aunt and uncle. Her life changed when she was discovered by a modeling agency.
- The Secret Scholar: In Victorian times, Lucy Seaton took a tough cleaning job at a school to secretly get an education and win a scholarship.
- The Sorrows of Laughing Anne: Anne Foster accidentally laughed at a witch and was cursed with a terrible, uncontrollable cackle.
- The Ugly Duckling: Jane Carlton's face was scarred in a car accident, making her feel self-conscious. She also discovered her new stepfather was dishonest.
- When Susie Sneezes: Susie Green had a strange power: whatever she wished for when she sneezed came true! But with many allergies, this caused a lot of unexpected trouble.
These stories often explored themes of friendship, family, overcoming challenges, and discovering hidden talents.
