There can’t be many kids who grew up in the UK during the 70s who didn’t watch Multi-Coloured Swap Shop on a Saturday morning. Apart from the dubious charms of ‘cuddly’ Noel Edmonds, Maggie Philbin, and ‘wacky’ Keith ‘Cheggers’ Chegwin, kids could write or phone in to swap their unwanted Christmas presents for some other kid’s unwanted tat.
Three years earlier though, in 1973, there was more swapping going on in the pages of Marvel’s UK publications. I was reminded of this just the other night while leafing through a copy of The Avengers No. 13 (cover date week
ending December 15).
On the inside cover was Pen Pals Swap Shop No.7.
A typical swap:
“I HAVE a Spiderman poster and 6 Mighty World of Marvel.
I WANT TO SWAP for a Spiderman Suit”
I have no idea if Haminder Jolly from Hounslow ever got his Spiderman suit (I sincerely hope he did!), but what a great idea.
I have loads of unwanted comics I’d like to swap, so what would someone swap me for the first two years of Dazzler?
Oh, thanks so much for printing that cover, that takes me back. I'd forgotten all about that Britain's Greatest tagline. Hilarious.
ReplyDeleteAs for swapping, I could never be bothered with that, all the packing and psoting nonsense!
I take you won't be using my Swap Shop then?
ReplyDeleteI would never give up my Dazzler!
ReplyDelete