punch and chewday
This is one of Leo Baxendale's favorite badtime books (according to his autobiography) and you can see why. It has everything we look for in a Badtime book.
First of all, it's comic horror (hence the name "badtime bedtime book"). But not just comic - it has hints of genuine horror. No happy ending here! This is what "under the bedclothes readers" want. Something with real meat wrapped up in glorious silliness.
Second, it has a huge scope. It covers everything from ancient pre-history to the reader's own life. This is reflected in the art, which is both cosy and familiar (a bedroom and a beach) and monumental and classic - I love that final giant scene! This is an iconic Baxendale shot, as seen in Willy the Kid book 2 and elsewhere.
Third, it is satisfyingly complete. It's really like an epic novel, with a strong beginning, strong development and a climactic, memorable ending. With strong characters and real conflict and tension. It achieves exactly what the badtime bedtime boks aimed for - an exciting, wonderful book hidden inside your comic!
Fourth, it's packed with craziness, "everything but the kitchen sink" as the publisher said.
And fifth, the drawings and tone are good fun!
Truly a classic.
All comic art copyright IPC magazines (1970s) and Egmont International (today).
Thanks to Irmantas, Muffy, the Hornet, Toonhound, Peter Gray, John Pollock, and Andy & Sharon Laney-Davis for most of the scans. Thanks to Kashgar, Lew Stringer, Bustercomic, philcom55 and SteveZodiac of comicsuk.co.uk for general help and information. And of course thanks to Leo Baxendale and all the writers, artists and editors who created these gems in the first place!
