Dandyism? Beano-ism? | 20 Toffs, Fops and Fribbles of Comic Book fancy: to Elevate your reading Style!
The dandy archetype is one of the most striking of plays and literature.
When 'Lord Goring' and his ilk first amused theatregoers, comics had yet to transcend their Victorian status of Penny Dreadfuls.
A century later, graphic storytelling would satisfy readers with distinct glimpses of Wildean wit.
While dandified script writers, like Alan Moore, would echo an element of Mr Wilde's creative yardstick.
In that such authors speak in sentences.
Saving talent for their work and genius for their lives.
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| Alan Moore in magician mode for his 'Fashion Beast' book signing in 2013 |
Caped Crusaders and Masked Marvels
It's fairly easy to spot why superheroes should captivate, and dominate so much of our entertainment.
Aside from their overblown stature and invincible antics - an obvious aspect of superhero success is their super-slick costume designs.
With or without capes, superheroes comprise a deluge of Dandies: at least at a glance.
And the same goes for their natty but nutty foes!
The Joker, The Penguin, The Mad Hatter and other exquisite rogues, take sartorial matters seriously.
As Stylists.
And Style has seductive appeal...
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| The Mad Hatter puts his Mesmerizer to appreciable effect in the Batman TV series |
The storytelling style of superhero strips is less fortunate in its traditional appeal. If sweaty fanboys at comic conventions are a worthy stereotype.
However, the superhero genre doesn't demand excessive focus on this occasion!
For the comics medium has many more facets than a mass of vigilantes in bright fetish gear.
75 Years of Dandy comic strips (well, sort of)
When you take a moment to dwell on it, Britain's renowned 'Dandy' comic had a curious lead character.
Desperate Dan - toughest of cowboys in Cactusville.
Dan D.
Which does seem Desperately contrived 🤔
But then, no one really cared about that sort of thing. Not in 1930s editorial offices, reluctantly tasked with juvenile amusement.
Comics were for kids.
And kept them quiet. Before serving to kindle the living room fire in most households.
Eventually, Sequential Art became a thing. Books were written, lectures delivered and explanations scrimped from long-lost concepts.
A jaunty chap presented The Dandy in its early decades. Each edition employed a faithful bellhop to guide young readers through their paper.
Which would have been rather venerating for youngsters.
And a herald of possibility... that subtle standards of reading material might eventually transform the medium.
When publishers would cater for the broadest possible readership.
And in that sense, definitive dandies were bound to blossom in comic book pages. As droll as those devised by Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde and Evelyn Waugh.
Yet indebted to their influence and inspiration.
Now let's take a look at Twenty Comic Book Coxcombs. In all their eclectic elegance...
Their indelible wit.
And occasional penchant for a pinch of snuff 🤏
Batman: Reign of Terror
DC Comics, 1999
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An Elseworlds tale which transposes the Dark Knight to even darker days.
Yet Bruce Wayne's social status remains intact in Revolutionary France.
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| A Batman's batman: Alfred ensures Captain Wayne cuts a dash! |
Moral mayhem ensues for Captain Wayne - as a cavalryman in the Revolutionary forces. Whose brutal regime beckons the good Captain towards vigilante activity. And the familiar ruse of masked self-preservation.
As well as foppish affectation - which the era seems to own:
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| "Foppery is never cured" - Dr. Samuel Johnson: but it may still be indulged for higher motives! |
The patent Scarlet Pimpernel routine is embraced with disguises and crafty subterfuge.
As the wealthy Wayne dynasty surmounts treacherous times with dextrous wit. All from the hub of Revolutionary politics.
The short graphic novel presents a gripping escapade. Which sees 'Le Chauve Souris' revel in dandyism at every deceitful turn...
Bon Mot Bravura 'Tsk - Monsieur Deinte, that cravat is a fright! Allow me!'
Dandridge
2000ad Comic
Rebellion, 2009-13
Jason King has much to answer for...
A few too many comic characters were influenced by Peter Wyngarde's cult sensation.
In that most are slavish or superficial. If admirably explored here.
Dr Spartacus Dandridge - a supernatural investigator - is another affair...
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| Peter Wyngarde's drawl is all that's missing from Dandridge escapades |
It's Jason King all the way.
And difficult to discern whether homage, or hefty fan fiction would be the better description.
But the writer hits the right notes. And Dandridge has visually satisfying flair.
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| A dandy reflects: and doubtless procrastinates for a slight era |
Bon Mott Bravura "A gentleman finds few things less worthy of attention than a villain not wearing a tie."
Devlin Waugh
Judge Dredd Megazine/2000ad
Rebellion, 1992-
"Imagine Noel Coward played by Arnold Schwarzenegger."
Writer John Smith's character sketch could scarcely disappoint!
While artist Sean Phillips invoked a Terry Thomas likeness to complete their portrayal.
Both dialogue and character mannerisms are superbly camp. Every line drips with droll delivery. While subtle expressions give absurd storylines dramatic credibility.
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| Devlin Waugh with his dander up! |
Evelyn Waugh agonised over his Catholicism in the course of Brideshead Revisited.
Whereas the wildly disparate Devlyn is no less complex than the bon vivants of Brideshead. While his natural insouciance and habitual flippancy leave the reader susceptible to shock at some sinister traits.
But then these are Sci-Fi Horror tales.
And Devlin is a freelance exorcist. An envoy of 22nd Century 'Vatican City' and vampire too. Just to dispel any dreary days.
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| Devlin musters morale: Leading from the front and sharing his snuff! |
An omnibus edition of Smith's ex cathedra story stint was released in 2014
Bon Mot Bravura "You can all breath a sigh of relief gentlemen. Fingers off the triggers... the name's Waugh. Devlin Waugh. I'm here to steal the show."
Bat Lash
DC Comics 1968-
Everything Desperate Dan could have been!!
If perhaps too much of a ladies' man for children's entertainment.
And arguably of the Romantic rather than Dandy tradition.
Bartholomew Aloysius Lash brought a particular blend of style to Western strips. Which all too easily raised redneck hackles.
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| DC Showcase Presents: Bat Lash (the original) - beware the occasional glib revamp |
Raised by a rugged father and cultured mother; guess which one he took after. To become a gambler with a bit of brawn to resolve card-related disputes.
Always reluctantly diverted by aggro from finer things...
Flowers particularly.
And women, insolubly.
Bon Mot Bravura "It'd be downright intemperate to shoot six citizens my first hour as a lawman"
Beau Brummell
Various publishers 1945/46
There's no explanation for this Dandy revival - as an American investor/feisty detective.
Not that Brummell was new to popular forms of storytelling. Regency novels captured his reign along with a stage play in 1908. And by 1924, the proto-celebrity was on cinema screens.
1940s comic book editors clearly felt exempt from artistic enormities.
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| Beau Brummell partners with a press photographer - anonymous calling cards won't do at all! |
But for a basic Batman rip-off - it's not all bad.
There's a certain amount of affection for the character. An elegance the creators could have overlooked or spoofed. And plenty of tailoring matters arise along the way.
So maybe the publishers were striving for a spot of biographical taste after all...
Bon Mott Bravura "I'll be pleased to show you to a cab dear lady but Beau Brummell travels alone!"
Jordan Matthew/Modred
Camelot 3000
DC Comics 1982-85
Something of a sidekick to sorceress Morgan le Fay - the main villain stalking King Arthur's knights of the far future.
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| Remote Viewing on King Arthur and slightly saner scenes... |
By the mid-80s, British comic artist Brian Bolland was a legend himself on Judge Dredd strips.
Where his co-creation, Chief Judge Caligula, served to hone the style for Matthew - as corrupt U.N. Security Director.
And a model exponent of high camp.
The 12-issue Maxi-Series was a first. And consummately crafted for relatively mature readers.
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| We share your grief, Jordan - really we do... |
After being re-awakened as Sir Modred, the warrior-fop comes to a spectacularly sticky end of course.
But his frivolous nature was a desirable contrast to life and death themes throughout the series.
Bon Mot Bravura
U.S President: "Do you read me, Matthew?"
Jordan: "Like a menu, Delmar!"
Mirkin the Mystic
Paradax! #1
Vortex, 1987
Perhaps as avant-garde as experimental comics ever ascended in the 1980s.
Mirkin took his comic book cue from Dr Strange. And adopted a languid fin de siecle flavour.
Artist Brendan McCarthy invoked Aubrey Beardsley for Mirkin's visual presence.
"The Beardsley style was incorporated into Mirkin as well as the symbolist, decadent mindset - all with a Wildean narrative voice (written by Milligan)." (1)
Indeed the Pete Milligan/Brendan McCarthy/Brett Ewins creative trinity saw several strips reach celebrated status. Where surreal style was often a critical component. And where an eminent Dandy creation was somehow inevitable...
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| Let's not attempt to define the indefinable... Mirkin the Mystic! |
Mirkin may even have stolen the show from alternative superhero Paradax. In a short, secondary tale which featured in the latter's own title.
Never to return.
Well, other than a few delightful portraits over the years.
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| A digital era Mirkin peeves Paradax... it never ends! |
Mirkin's single story is so thoroughly textured, so charming a journey, as to satisfy the returning reader with every saunter.
Bon Mott Bravura "I'm not a turnip, to be grabbed at and slobbered over. I am a rare wine, to be delicately savoured..."
Reprinted in The Best of Milligan and McCarthy
Ozymandias/Adrian Veidt
Watchmen
DC Comics, 1986-87
Denied a life of perpetual languor - as the 'smartest man in the world' - Veidt is condemned to billionaire success status.
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| A cinematic sequence from the mostly 'un-filmable' Watchmen graphic novel |
Philosophical clarity makes up most of his monologues. And somehow serves to leave the reader vaguely sympathetic towards vast supervillainy.
That's the genius of Alan Moore for you... where modest massacres so easily bend utilitarian yardsticks.
Among numerous layers of storytelling sophistication.
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| After Dinner etiquette: the Watchmen way! |
The grace of Veidt's role in the saga ensures its subtlety. Despite his walking homage to pharaonic Egypt; by which Veidt markets his modern equivalent status. Ever filtered through the subversive awe of Shelley.
Ozymandias is set apart from the other Watchmen with an aloof stature and weary wit.
As much as his influence over their world throughout the tale.
And with it - Veidt's realisation of mortal transience... that adopts dandyism as a matter of genius.
Bon Mot Bravura "I don't mind being the smartest man in the world. I just wish it wasn't this one."
Lord Snooty
The Beano
DC Thompson, 1938 -
By the 1990s, Beano Editor Euan Kerr had reached a sombre realisation.
Lord Marmaduke (Snooty) was often bottom of reader polls. And the reason was perfectly palpable:
"His top hat and Eton collar must baffle today's kids."
In their day, Lord Snooty (and his pals) heralded a classless society. Early episodes saw Snooty sloping away to Ash Can alley to catch up with his mates. Later tales saw them sharing his castle abode...
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| The Beano's Bright Young Things celebrate without champers! |
Initially, young Snooty would modify his dress code accordingly. So in a sense, the Earl of Bunkerton could be considered an anti-dandy 🙃
Either that or a savvy stylist:
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| Snooty by name, Shabby by nature: or at least where friendship matters most 🤜🏻🤛🏻 |
A glance at 21st Century menswear has seen the triumph of cargo shorts over tailoring. And the meticulously distressed Boris Johnson debacle 😩
So perhaps Lord Snooty knew his time was over all along!
The Flash Avenger
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, vol IV: The Tempest
Knockabout edition, 2021
Alan Moore refines and confounds our quest for the comic book Dandy.
A cut above common or garden superhero staff -TLOEG supplies scores of rakes, cads and scoundrels to savour.
Where even a consummate dandy struggles to stand-out. Especially so, as a member of British superhero ensemble: the Seven Stars.
Mr Moore amplifies the West End playboy element of 'David Gaunt' in this savage satire on a long lost 1950s superhero!
An all-new origin sequence reveals David was stunned by the existence of lower orders, as a little boy:
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| In a time before Batman: Clutching pearls and Thrashing vagrants! |
The Flash Avenger's mission duly became "to flaunt his superiority over both the criminal and working classes."
And of course, Alan Moore knows the score - drawing on dialogue dating back to Restoration Comedy.
A childhood love of superheroes became a "toxic aversion" for Alan Moore and late artist Kevin O'Neill.
And their gloves have been off for decades...
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| Superhero scraps are a messy old business! |
Bon Mot Bravura "Paupers are a scruffy, ungrammatical lot. I must become what they fear... a flashily-dressed sarcastic toff who'll belittle them!"
The Blue Wizard
Jackpot/2000ad
IPC Magazines/Rebellion, 1980-90
Marvel UK's Rampage starred 'The Daring Defenders' (Hulk, Dr Strange, and the slightly girly Namor from Atlantis.)
All serious stuff - with light-hearted equivalent tosh launched in subsequent children's title, Jackpot.
The Amazing Three featured Blue Wizard in lieu of studied mystic Dr Strange; and alongside Oakman and Tanya...
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| Kids' humour comic Jackpot gets in on the superhero racket! |
And that's about it.
Blue Wizard brightened things up with magic cane-conducted good deeds.
Eventually, The Amazing Three received the 'dark knight treatment' in 2000ad's superhero strip, Zenith...
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| Blue Wizard broods over better days and naff cartoony foes |
Where Grant Morrison and Steve Yeowell revived Blue Wizard in monochrome. Audacity being the order of the day.
So the Daring Defenders never knew it. But they eventually acquired worthy UK counterparts, as the genre evolved in radical fashion.
Bon Mot Bravura "No problem. Just hold still. There. Flames become butterflies..."
The Fop
Green Lantern #25
All-American Publications/DC Comics, April 1947
"A Beau Brummell crook of cruel cunning" - and a complete mystery thus far...
Gotham socialite, Percy de Chaunce, duly decides to adopt three ex-convicts.
Top crooks.
Yet all too obvious about it from their demeanour.
So The Fop grooms them - in the art of not being sent to jail on a regular basis. By reforming their dodgy manners. So as to look and act like Gentlemen.
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| A trip to the tailor - soon to be stiffed of course... |
Unfortunately for all concerned; they descend on a masked ball attended by Alan (Green Lantern) Scott.
Where The Fop gives a good account of himself. With a flick of his cuff links - and a puff of poison gas!
But the Green Lantern tracks him down that same night.
And The Fop is faced with a life of Hard Labour. Which presents an ethical dilemma:
"No de Chaunce has ever soiled his hands with work."
So The Fop deceives his pursuer by taking an overdose.
Just prior to providing a full confession.
Seems Gotham villains need to be far more flamboyant to stay the course. And smart of mind, as much as appearance...
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| The Fop's henchmen ponder the error of their ways... with newfound style. |
Bon Mot Bravura "Blast you, Green Lantern - you've bested me again!"
Max Normal
2000ad/Judge Dredd
IPC Magazines/Rebellion, 1977-
The post-Punk/New Wave era saw a British comics revival.
Which crystalized in 2000ad weekly. And the anarcho-futurism of Judge Dredd's world - Mega-City 1.
With knee-pads the norm for 22nd Century fashion, Max Normal - 'The Pinstripe Freak' - made retro-eccentricity his style.
Always speaking in rhyme, as Dredd's top informer.
"Don't be mean to the dude who's clean!"
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| Max Normal: stool pigeon startles a flock of seagulls! |
The dusk-driven flaneur received his own strips in early Judge Dredd annuals. And eventually an origin series in 2019.
Ever ageing (unusually so by comics standards) along with Dredd and his mortal citizenry... yet always in fine fettle!
Bon Mot Bravura "You can't keep a sharp nark in the dark!"
Raffles the Gentleman Thug
Not to be outdone by Sweeny Toddler - Viz gave modern yobbery a Victorian twist!
Raffles is an exponent of Viztopian ultra-violence... so don't be deceived by his stilted threats.
Such as:
"If I may be so bold sir - what are you looking at?"
or
"May I perchance earnestly enquire as to the nature of your fucking perplexity pal?"
Bandy words!
Usually followed through with effete brutality. Although strangely enough, Raffles received second prize in a kerfuffle with Oscar Wilde.
Never mess with an aesthete, Raffles.
Bon Mot Bravura "I am fully cognisant as to the whereabouts of your place of residence, you cunt, sir."
Lucifer
DC Vertigo, 1989-
An eleven-volume excursion into Paradise Lost-type intrigue...
Lucifer has previously tired of ruling Hell. As disclosed in Neil Gaiman's celebrated Sandman series.
And opened a piano bar in Los Angeles.
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| Snake style sophistication and eternal ennui... |
An ambassador of elegance; as much issues with the Creator.
Lucifer swans through elaborate story arcs. Treading through angelic politics and theological themes in a weary way.
Where other occult investigators might proceed in earnest.
As a superbeing, Lucifer's froideur is almost a caricature of the classic Dandy. Except his witticisms are sacrificed in favour of pithy theological takes.
An exquisite fellow, nonetheless.
Bon Mott Bravura "Thank you, Amendiel. Grudging praise is the most flattering of all."
New Romancer
DC Vertigo, 2016
Lord Byron seems to gatecrash Dandy matters with little effort.
And little resistance.
Even from top scholars. Yet his style diverged radically from that of the Regency Dandy.
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| 'Like some New Romantic looking for the TV sound' |
Despite much mingling in his younger days.
And it's a youthful Byron who jaunts along Silicon Valley in the 2010s.
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| Even geek-girls can't resist the baddest boy of all time! |
In an AI escapade where weird science runs amok. At a fast pace - that captures our times.
Where somehow poetry saves the day!
Bon Mot Bravura "What in the name of King George's rump is the Golden Gate Bridge?"
The Wizard of Football
Buster
IPC Magazines, 1969-72
Nathan Flintlock, retired Thespian, takes keen young footballer, Cyril Clarkson, under his shabby wing.
And coaches him with outstanding success. Albeit more through inspiration than conventional soccer skills.
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| A bit of Bluster goes a long way in the League Tables! |
After various vicissitudes, the pair arrive at Western United in the 1st Division. Where the Wizard takes up the post of Chief Coach!
Except Nathan's not really a wizard. Or much of a footballer.
And his actor credentials are pretty threadbare too.
So his fortunes are forever tumbling...
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| A dignified exit - one of many... |
The strip's creators may have parodied John Pertwee.
Who at the time was starring in Dr Who - a capricious role that became known as the 'Dandy Doctor' era.
And all storytelling twaddle aside, the Wizard was one of those characters the comics medium renders particularly well 🧙🏻♂️
Bon Mot Bravura "Have a care, sir... I'm a man of quick temper."
Lord Peter Flint
Warlord
DC Thompson, 1976 -
Standard Scarlett Pimpernel protocol in Second World War settings.
If rather lopsided with derring-do. As British war comic editors doubtless deemed orthodox.
So more a missed opportunity for character development than solid contender for dandified status.
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| 'Send in your Readers' Letters' - but I may have to delete your tracks! |
The amicable killer was also fictional editor of Warlord comic.
Lending panache to many a schoolboy dream... of deeds their grandparents never wished to hear again.
Bon Mot Bravura "I must apologise for the violence but I'm in something of a hurry!"
Sebastian O
DC Vertigo, 1993
Sebastians resound through dandy lore...
Messrs Melmoth, Flyte, and Horsley - each approximated the Greek 'sebastos' ('venerable') in their own sweet way.
Sebastian O'Leary is less than sweet.
A sociopath and archetypal Wildean dandy.
Idle, decadent, groomed to a tee.
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| Dandy Dichotomy and sartorial martyrdom - so often mocked and misunderstood 😒 |
Sebastian O was an early foray into what soon became Steampunk. And touches on a few intriguing concepts.
Which amuse in dry abundance for a rather short series.
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| Sangfroid is a dish best served Bold! |
Bon Mot Bravura "One must commit acts of the highest treason only when dressed in the most resplendent finery."
Adam and the Adaptations
Various publishers
Celebrity spin-offs, Film and TV shows have never been distant from comic strip pages.
A slew of weekly comics appeared in the late '60s.
Taking TV series beyond their comfort zone in a way that worked. With characters such as The Avengers, The Saint and Department S finding a form of pre-video permanence among fans.
By the 1970s, Look-In magazine was presenting TV strip features with top talent. Along with music strips (which began with 'The Adventures of David Cassidy').
An early-80s rival - TV Tops - adopted the same formula with 'The Fantastic Adventures of Adam Ant'.
Which followed on from a standard biographical series:
The late '80s saw '60s nostalgia reach the entertainment cycle. And in the shadow of 1989's Batman movie, The Avengers' Steed was back in comics.
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| Meta Moment: as a comic trade journal features THE Avengers! |
Rock 'N' Roll Comics launched a biographical niche for long-haired musicians in 1989. And inspired other publishers to exploit a market for insightful celebrity merchandise.
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| Brian Bolland provides Prince with Flair (and Flare) befitting a modern idol 💫 |
As the 21st Century adopts the medium, graphic novels seem to be a subtle gauge of stardom. Or at least part of a promotional bucket list, while success lasts.
And as to modern dandies, they're still around... just less likely to steal the show from celebrity stylists.
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| Lady Gaga in pastiche Marvel Comics cover style: part of a set on HappyInkTee |
1) Twitter 24/5/20 https://twitter.com/MysticMcCarthy/status/1264540384849465349?t=NzIEb-Fkjc8poRg1gy4_6Q&s=19
John M. Gilheany is a freelance Copywriter available at A dash of Tonic! ✨
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