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The Modern Boy.
The Modern Boy first appeared on 6th Feb 1928 and was described as the most up to date boys paper in the world. Eric Fayne wrote an article for the CD annual in 1954, you can read it here. Apologies for some of the words at the edge being clipped, the binding of this annual won't take any flexing without falling to pieces!
Most of the Modern Boy scans feature Hamilton material only but complete scans of are available for a few issues. See table at the bottom of this page for more information.
School for Slackers in the Modern Boy.
In 1934 Hamilton created yet another school - High Coombe - the school for Slackers. High Coombe was a slack school, the Head was slack, the Masters were slack and as a consequence the boys were slack. They had no interest in education or games, the most important thing for them was the cut of their bags!
When the Headmaster retired the Governors decide not to promote from within but to to bring in a new Head master, a young man by the name of McCann. It isn't an easy job, Masters and pupils are both against change but he does make some progress.
I enjoyed the series but have to agree with Eric Fayne that in keeping the series open for further yarns the Headmaster is seen as rather ineffective. It would have been better to close the series with the Headmaster finally succeeding in his task but of course this would have made it impossible to write any more stories!
The stories were reprinted in the Schoolboys Own Library issues SOL 290 and SOL 299.
Original High Coombe stories were later published in Tom Merry's Own and Billy Bunter's Own.
Series one appeared in 1934 in issues 371-380. You can read or download the complete series here or you can access the issues individually from the table at the bottom of this page.
Rio Kid in the Modern Boy.
In 1928 the Rio Kid made his first appearance in the Popular in an attempt to boost flagging sales and he stayed there for almost 3 years. When the Modern Boy began to struggle some seven years later Hamilton (Ralph Redway) once again came to the rescue and the Rio Kid made his first appearance in the Modern Boy on 25th September 1937. (note:- strictly speaking this was not the Rio Kid's first appearance in the Modern Boy, he had actually appeared four years earlier in comic strip format.)
To quote Eric Fayne "Nothing better ever appeared in the Popular or any other paper for that matter. The Rio Kid stories were grand. Completely convincing, geographically correct to the last detail, original in plot and full of thrills these wild west tales had unforgettable charm". For the 1952 Collectors Digest annual Eric Fayne wrote an article on the roamings of the Rio Kid. Charles Hamilton wrote to the CD to say it was the best article he had ever read. The article was reprinted in the CD annual some 35 years later and you can read it here.
The first story spans issues 503-514 from 1937 tells how the Kid becomes the foreman of the Lazy S ranch and the excitement prevailed before once again he was on the run from Mule Kick Hall of the Rangers. You can download the story in full here or you can access the issues individually from the table at the bottom of this page.
The second and final story spans issues 515-523 and tells of the Rio Kid's visit to Hollywood. You can download the story in full here or you can access the issues individually from the table at the bottom of this page.
Original tales of the Rio Kid also featured in the Popular, Ranger, Billy Bunter's Own, and the Tom Merry's Own. Rio Kid stories from the Popular and Modern Boy were reprinted in the Boys Friend Library.
Rio Kid Cartoon Strips in the Modern Boy.
The Rio Kid appeared in the Modern Boy in cartoon format in 1933 and in this story he is accused of stealing money from Old Man Dawney. The story spanned 17 issues 285 - 301. you can read them here or you can access the issues individually from the table at the bottom of this page. The stories are not by Hamilton but by a Sub writer.
Ken King in the Modern Boy.
Ken King made his debut in issue 1 in a story said to be written by the famous aviation pioneer Sir Alan Cobham and Charles Hamilton. Probably the only contribution by Cobham was the use of his name which was liberally used over the first twenty issues.
Ken King and his mate Kit Hudson sailed the unchartered waters of the south seas in his ketch the Dawn. Beachcombers, pearlers, cannibals and sea-lawyers featured heavily in the stories but there was always a twist that kept the stories interesting.
A total of 209 Ken King stories appeared in the Modern Boy. A number of stories were reprinted the Boys Friend Library. New stories also featured in Billy Bunter's Own, and Tom Merry's Own.
You can download issues 1-10 here, 11-20 here or download individual issues from the table at the bottom of this page.
Bunny Hare in the Modern Boy
.
In 1930 Hamilton wrote 12 short stories about the adventures of Bunny Hare. Eric Fayne says of them "These yarns make for interesting reading. Though the Bunny stories contained little of the character work for which the writer is famed, they were interesting and amusing"
The stories were reprinted in the Boys Friend Library issue 360 (first series).
You can read or download some of the stories from the following table.
Len Lex in the Modern Boy
Len Lex is a schoolboy detective who is sent to Oakshott School by his Uncle Detective Nixon of Scotland Yard. Eric Fayne described the stories as typical Hamilton Mystery yarns - pleasant enough reading but with plots familiar to any reader of the Magnet or Gem.
In the first series (issues 452-465) Len solves the mystery of the Moat House. This story was reprinted in the Schoolboys Own Library issue SOL 353.
In the second series (issues 479-488) Len investigates why Tunstall of the Fifth form wants to be expelled. This story was reprinted in the Schoolboys Own Library issue SOL 371.
| Date | Series | No | Character | Hamilton Content | Reprint Information | |||||
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Issue 1/001 11-Feb-28
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1 | 1 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/002 18-Feb-28
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1 | 2 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/003 5-Feb-28
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1 | 3 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/004 03-Mar-28
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1 | 4 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/005 10-Mar-28
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1 | 5 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/006 17-Mar-28
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1 | 6 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/007 24-Mar-28
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1 | 7 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/008 31-Mar-28
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1 | 8 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/009 07-Apr-28
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1 | 9 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/010 14-Apr-28
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1 | 10 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/011 21-Apr-28
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1 | 11 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/012 28-Apr-28
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1 | 12 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/013 05-May-28
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1 | 13 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/014 12-May-28
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1 | 14 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/015 19-May-28
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1 | 15 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/016 26-May-28
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1 | 16 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/017 02-Jun-28
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1 | 17 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/018 09-Jun-28
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1 | 18 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/019 16-Jun-28
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1 | 19 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/020 23-Jun-28
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1 | 20 | Ken King | King of the Islands |
BFL 2/331 King of the Islands November 1936
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BFL 2/577 King of the Islands June 1937 |
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Issue 1/021 30-Jun-28
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1 | 21 | Ken King | No Salvage | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/022 07-Jul-28
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1 | 22 | Ken King | The Man who Fled | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/023 14-Jul-28
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1 | 23 | Ken King | Brought to Book | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/024 21-Jul-28
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1 | 24 | Ken King | Shanghaied | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/025 28-Jul-28
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1 | 25 | Ken King | The Upper Hand | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/026 04-Aug-28
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1 | 26 | Ken King | The Castaway of Lu'u | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/027 11-Aug-28
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1 | 27 | Ken King | Tricked by Cannibals | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/028 18-Aug-28
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1 | 28 | Ken King | Sought for - and Saved | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/029 25-Aug-28
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1 | 29 | Ken King | Sea Lawyer | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/030 01-Sep-28
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1 | 30 | Ken King | The Treasure of Lalaio | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/031 08-Sep-28
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1 | 31 | Ken King | The Floating Island | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/032 15-Sep-28
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1 | 32 | Ken King | The Haunted Isle | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/033 22-Sep-28
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1 | 33 | Ken King | Abandoned | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/034 29-Sep-28
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1 | 34 | Ken King | Saved from the Sea | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/035 06-Oct-28
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1 | 35 | Ken King | The Sea Cook | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/036 13-Oct-28
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1 | 36 | Ken King | Prisoners of the Dawn | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/037 20-Oct-28
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1 | 37 | Ken King | Turning the Tables | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/038 27-Oct-28
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1 | 38 | Ken King | The Stowaway of the Dawn | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/039 03-Nov-28
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1 | 39 | Ken King | The Guns of Guvunuka Taboo | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/040 10-Nov-28
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1 | 40 | Ken King | Rough Justice! (Complete issue) | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/041 17-Nov-28
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1 | 41 | Ken King | Salving the Sunabaya! (Complete issue) | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/042 24-Nov-28
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1 | 42 | Ken King | The Great Pearl of Gola | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/043 01-Dec-28
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1 | 43 | Ken King | A Fatal Fortune | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/044 08-Dec-28
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1 | 44 | Ken King | £500 Reward! | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/045 15-Dec-28
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1 | 45 | Ken King | The Phantom Fiddler | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/046 22-Dec-28
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1 | 46 | Ken King | Ken King's Island Christmas! | BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||
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Issue 1/047 29-Dec-28
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1 | 47 | Ken King | White Man's Luck! | BFL 2/365, BFL 2/602 Chums of the Islands, | ||||
| BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific | ||||||||||
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Issue 1/048 05-Jan-29
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1 | 48 | Ken King | Bully o' the South Seas |
BFL 2/365, BFL 2/602 Chums of the
Islands, BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific |
||||
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Issue 1/049 12-Jan-29
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1 | 49 | Ken King | The Last Chance! |
BFL 2/365, BFL 2/602 Chums of the
Islands, BFL 2/489 Boss of the Pacific |
||||
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Issue 1/050 19-Jan-29
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1 | 50 | Ken King | The Sailorman's Secret |
BFL 2/341 Galleon's Gold July 1932
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BFL 2/594 Galleon's Gold October 1937
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Issue 1/051 26-Jan-29
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1 | 51 | Ken King | Bars of Gold |
BFL 2/341 Galleon's Gold July 1932
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BFL 2/594 Galleon's Gold October 1937
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Issue 1/052 02-Feb-29
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1 | 52 | Ken King | The Luck of Dandy Peter! |
BFL 2/341 Galleon's Gold July 1932
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BFL 2/594 Galleon's Gold October 1937
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| 09-Feb-29 | 1 | 53 | Ken King | Sailing for Treasure |
BFL 2/341 Galleon's Gold July 1932
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BFL 2/594 Galleon's Gold October 1937
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| 16-Feb-29 | 1 | 54 | Ken King | The Lost Galleon! |
BFL 2/341 Galleon's Gold July 1932
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BFL 2/594 Galleon's Gold October 1937
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| 23-Feb-29 | 1 | 55 | Ken King | Fortune's Favourite |
BFL 2/341 Galleon's Gold July 1932
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BFL 2/594 Galleon's Gold October 1937
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| 02-Mar-29 | 1 | 56 | Ken King | The Little Red One | ||||||
| 09-Mar-29 | 1 | 57 | Ken King | The Extra Hand | ||||||
| 16-Mar-29 | 1 | 58 | Ken King | Stand and Deliver | ||||||
| 23-Mar-29 | 1 | 59 | Ken King | Monarch of the Atoll | ||||||
| 30-Mar-29 | 1 | 60 | Ken King | The Pearl of Lukatu | ||||||
| 06-Apr-29 | 1 | 61 | Ken King | The Luck of the Lugger | ||||||
| 13-Apr-29 | 1 | 62 | Ken King | Pirates of the Pacific! | BFL 2/355 Pirates of the Pacific | |||||
| 20-Apr-29 | 1 | 63 | Ken King | Ken King's Ordeal | BFL 2/355 Pirates of the Pacific | |||||
| 27-Apr-29 | 1 | 64 | Ken King | The Secret of the Island | BFL 2/355 Pirates of the Pacific | |||||
| 04-May-29 | 1 | 65 | Ken King | Keeper of the Pirate's Hoard! | BFL 2/355 Pirates of the Pacific | |||||
| 11-May-29 | 1 | 66 | Ken King | The Return of the Raiders | BFL 2/355 Pirates of the Pacific | |||||
| 18-May-29 | 1 | 67 | Ken King | The Whip Hand! | BFL 2/355 Pirates of the Pacific | |||||
| 25-May-29 | 1 | 68 | Ken King | To the Rescue of Ken King | BFL 2/355 Pirates of the Pacific | |||||
| 01-Jun-29 | 1 | 69 | Ken King | The Way of the Whaler | ||||||
| 08-Jun-29 | 1 | 70 | Ken King | The White Man of Aao | BFL 2/406, Chums of the South Seas | |||||
| 15-Jun-29 | 1 | 71 | Ken King | The Mystery of the Pearl Island | BFL 2/406, Chums of the South Seas | |||||
| 22-Jun-29 | 1 | 72 | Ken King | The Prisoners of the Coral Cave | BFL 2/406, Chums of the South Seas | |||||
| 29-Jun-29 | 1 | 73 | Ken King | Guardians of the Cave | BFL 2/406, Chums of the South Seas | |||||
| 06-Jul-29 | 1 | 74 | Ken King | The Mystery of the Derelict | ||||||
| 13-Jul-29 | 1 | 75 | Ken King | The Secret of the Schooner | ||||||
| 20-Jul-29 | 1 | 76 | Ken King | The Trader of Vana-Vana | ||||||
| 27-Jul-29 | 1 | 77 | Ken King | From the Jaws of Death | ||||||
| 03-Aug-29 | 1 | 78 | Ken King | Cabin Boy of the Dawn! | ||||||
| 10-Aug-29 | 1 | 79 | Ken King | Foes of the Dawn! | ||||||
| 17-Aug-29 | 1 | 80 | Ken King | The Secret of the Banyan | ||||||
| 25-Jan-30 | 1 | 103 | Ken King | Pearls & Peril | BFL 2/623 Pals of the Pacific | |||||
| 01-Feb-30 | 1 | 104 | Ken King | A Bid for a Fortune! | BFL 2/623 Pals of the Pacific | |||||
| 08-Feb-30 | 1 | 105 | Ken King | The Secret of the Dawn | BFL 2/623 Pals of the Pacific | |||||
| 15-Feb-30 | 1 | 106 | Ken King | The Cooky Boy's Find | BFL 2/623 Pals of the Pacific | |||||
| 22-Feb-30 | 1 | 107 | Ken King | Troublesome Treasure | BFL 2/623 Pals of the Pacific | |||||
| 01-Mar-30 | 1 | 108 | Ken King | Ken King Hits Back | BFL 2/623 Pals of the Pacific | |||||
| 09-Aug-30 | 1 | 131 | Bunny | The Man with Ear Rings | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 16-Aug-30 | 1 | 132 | Bunny | Bunny on the Track | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 23-Aug-30 | 1 | 133 | Bunny | Slave of the Wind | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 30-Aug-30 | 1 | 134 | Bunny | Bunny's Luck | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 06-Sep-30 | 1 | 135 | Bunny | The Vanishing Trick | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 13-Sep-30 | 1 | 136 | Bunny | Bunny's Secret | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 20-Sep-30 | 1 | 137 | Bunny | More Kicks than Ha'pence | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 27-Sep-30 | 1 | 138 | Bunny | Bunny to the Rescue | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 04-Oct-30 | 1 | 139 | Bunny | The Secret of the Sand Dunes | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 11-Oct-30 | 1 | 140 | Bunny | The Man in the Veil | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 18-Oct-30 | 1 | 141 | Bunny | The Pudding Head | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 25-Oct-30 | 1 | 142 | Bunny | Treasure of Carthage | BFL 2/360 Adventure Bound | |||||
| 24-Jan-31 | 1 | 155 | Ken King | The Return of King of the Islands | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
| 31-Jan-31 | 1 | 156 | Ken King | Spectre of the South Seas | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
| 07-Feb-31 | 1 | 157 | Ken King | The Mystery Island | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
| 14-Feb-31 | 1 | 158 | Ken King | The Lagoon of Loya | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
| 21-Feb-31 | 1 | 159 | Ken King | Kit Hudson - Mutineer! | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
| 28-Feb-31 | 1 | 160 | Ken King | Hunters of the South Seas | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
| 07-Mar-31 | 1 | 161 | Ken King | The Master of Fufa | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
| 14-Mar-31 | 1 | 162 | Ken King | Shipmates of the Dawn | BFL 2/434, The Haunted Island | |||||
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Issue 1/180 18-Jul-31
|
1 | 180 | No Hamilton Content | ||||||
| 29-Aug-31 | 1 | 186 | Ken King | The Solomon Islander | ||||||
| 05-Sep-31 | 1 | 187 | Ken King | Cooky Boy's Treasure | ||||||
| 12-Sep-31 | 1 | 188 | Ken King | Bo'sun of the Dawn | ||||||
| 19-Sep-31 | 1 | 189 | Ken King | The Tick of Doom | ||||||
| 26-Sep-31 | 1 | 190 | Ken King | Billy Bottle - Beachcomber! | ||||||
| 03-Oct-31 | 1 | 191 | Ken King | The Dawn's Queer Passenger | ||||||
| 10-Oct-31 | 1 | 192 | Ken King | Cannibal Island! | ||||||
| 17-Oct-31 | 1 | 193 | Ken King | Luck o' the South Seas | ||||||
| 09-Apr-32 | 1 | 218 | Ken King | South Sea Shipmates | BFL 2/582, South Sea Shipmates | |||||
| 16-Apr-32 | 1 | 219 | Ken King | Roaring Demons | BFL 2/582, South Sea Shipmates | |||||
| 23-Apr-32 | 1 | 220 | Ken King | Treasure of Toto | BFL 2/582, South Sea Shipmates | |||||
| 30-Apr-32 | 1 | 221 | Ken King | The Bully of the Octopus | BFL 2/582, South Sea Shipmates | |||||
| 07-May-32 | 1 | 222 | Ken King | Chief of the Wai-Wai | BFL 2/582, South Sea Shipmates | |||||
| 14-May-32 | 1 | 223 | Ken King | The Shark's Tooth | BFL 2/582, South Sea Shipmates | |||||
| 21-May-32 | 1 | 224 | Ken King | Danny the Cooky Boy | BFL 2/582, South Sea Shipmates | |||||
|
Issue 1/236 13-Aug-32
|
1 | 236 | Ken King | The Quest of Wu Fang | BFL 2/461 The Lost Lagoon | |||||
| 20-Aug-32 | 1 | 237 | Ken King | The Sea-Cat's prize | BFL 2/461 The Lost Lagoon | |||||
| 27-Aug-32 | 1 | 238 | Ken King | The chase of the Sea-Cat | BFL 2/461 The Lost Lagoon | |||||
| 03-Sep-32 | 1 | 239 | Ken King | Long Palm Island | BFL 2/461 The Lost Lagoon | |||||
| 10-Sep-32 | 1 | 240 | Ken King | Ben Keefe's secret | BFL 2/461 The Lost Lagoon | |||||
| 17-Sep-32 | 1 | 241 | Ken King | Ken King's clue | BFL 2/461 The Lost Lagoon | |||||
| 24-Sep-32 | 1 | 242 | Ken King | Warriors of the South Seas | BFL 2/461 The Lost Lagoon | |||||
