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See.-
- The Beezer issues ?; artist Glass.
- The Hotspur issues starts prior to 601 - finishs after 619; artist Patrick.
(Fighting the Khansus whoo had invaded Britain).
- The Hotspur starts prior to issue 652 - finishs after 665; artist Patrick.
(On the trail of a gang of international crooks led by the mysterious and sinister Octopus).
The Hotspur starts prior to issue 734 - finishs after 736; artist Shone.
(Capturing scattered gang leaders from the previous series).
Writer:- The Hotspur editorial team. Artists:- Jack Glass; Terry Patrick; Keith Shone.
Main cast:- The Black Sapper.
The Black Sapper (he had no other name as far as I am aware), started as a criminal in his early adventures. But later in (new?) stories published in the Hotspur, he fought on the side of law and order.
The Sapper made use of his marvellous drilling machine the Worm, which could burrow through the earth and other materials. (Called the Earthworm in the original series). The worm had a crew of one man, although occasionally it did carry a second person. The machine, cylindrical in shape has a large screw on the nose of the machine. The later series mentions that the worm was designed by Professor Jordan and his son, Johnny and that it is atomic-powered. (Hotspur issue 619). The machine was also lightweight, being made with metal that 'was half the weight of aluminium, but tough enough to act as a heat shield for a moon capsule'. (Hotspur issue 611).
The Sapper wore a tight black suit (similar to a frogman's suit), and a black helmet. The worm and the Sapper's uniform remained the same in both the early and later series. Although the later version of the worm had up to date equipment, such as an outside camera so the Sapper could see what was happening above ground on a television screen.
In the first series drawn by Patrick, Britain has been invaded by an eastern race the Khansus. The Black Sapper fights along side the British resistance in the fight back against the invaders. A later series would see the Sapper on the trail of a gang of international crooks led by the mysterious and sinister Octopus.
The series drawn by Shone sees the Sapper having broken up the international gang of crooks in the last series, hunting down the scattered leaders. A complication arises when the Sapper is blinded by an explosion. He enlists the aid of a young orphen boy Jeff, to act as his eyes. This is possibly the last Sapper series to be published in the Hotspur, but this needs to be confirmed.
The following adventures of The Black Sapper are from issues an original Sapper story from the Beezer issue number not known; and from The Hotspur issues 603; 611; 652; 665 & 736.
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201 Pages
Compiled and edited by H. C.
We thank H. C. for his courtesy in offering our reader
this magnificent compilation.
The Black Sapper is a fascinating example of classic British adventure comics, blending science fiction, action, and wartime heroics into a memorable series. What makes the character unique is his evolution from a criminal mastermind in the early stories to a champion of law and order in the later Hotspur adventures. This transformation adds depth to a character who could have easily remained a one-dimensional pulp hero.
ReplyDeleteThe star of the series is undoubtedly the Worm, the incredible drilling machine that allowed the Black Sapper to travel beneath the earth and emerge where least expected. For readers of its era, the concept was both imaginative and thrilling, showcasing the boundless creativity of British comic storytelling.
This compilation is a valuable piece of comic history, bringing together adventures illustrated by talented artists such as Terry Patrick, Jack Glass, and Keith Shone. From battling invading forces to hunting international criminals and overcoming personal challenges, the Black Sapper stories deliver a mix of suspense, ingenuity, and old-school adventure that remains enjoyable decades later.
A sincere thanks to H. C. for preserving and compiling these rare stories, making them accessible to a new generation of comic enthusiasts and researchers interested in the rich heritage of British comics.
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