Comic Strip Presents! The Avengers ‘The Drug Pedlar’ TV CRIMEBUSTERS Annual (1962) – Ian Hendry (As Dr. David Keel) + Patrick Macnee (As John Steed)
Picture above: Front Cover – TV Crimebusters Annual (1962)
TV Crimbusters Annual (1962) – The Avengers ‘The Drug Pedlar’
The TV Crimebusters Annual featured Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) and John Steed (Patrick Macnee) and is the only known piece of commercial merchandise which included this pairing.
See the full comic strip below.
This annual also features stories from other shows from the time including Dixon of Dock Green, Charlie Chan, Danger Man, Interpol Calling, The Four Just Men, Raring Twenties, Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip, The Pursuers.
________________________________________________________________
Comic Strip: ‘The Drug Pedlar’ (part illustration, part photographic)
Plot: Dr. David Keel and John Steed get involved with a case of mistaken identity and drug running. Note: There is some racial stereotyping in the story – not uncommon for the era – which would not be acceptable today.
Writer and artist: Unknown.
Comment from The Avengers Illustrated:
Although The Avengers strip consists of only seven pages out of a total of 96, this was apparently the only piece of official contemporary merchandise to feature Dr. David Keel. The copyright date inside is 1962, which is a tad confusing as the Honor Blackman stories began broadcasting in September of that year, precisely at the time that the annuals should have been appearing on the shelves. This suggests one of three things: that although the show had begun shooting as early as May ’62 with Jon Rollason as Dr. King, followed by the first studio work by Honor Blackman as Mrs Cathy Gale in late June, there was not enough material for the book publishers to use in the photographic element of their fumetti, or that the producers had still not hit upon a definite number one partner for Steed, especially with Venus Smith also waiting in the wings, or that the book publishers wanted to go with the character who everybody knew – Dr. David Keel. Having said that, it could just be that there had been a long run-in time for the publication of the book, and the material was produced before the announcement had been made of Ian Hendry’s departure from the series. Whatever the reasons, it is good that there is at least this little nugget that survives from the ‘live’ days of the show.
The strip itself is pretty throwaway – the plot revolves around a case of mistaken identity as a Chinese undercover agent working with Steed is killed by drug dealers because, according to Steed, “like most Europeans, the gang’s drug pedlar couldn’t tell one Chinaman from another”. The fact that ‘How Min’ is depicted in typical cliched Chinese costume, complete with pigtail, underlines the unenlightened times this strip emerged from. The line art is pretty grim, with Steed being depicted in his ‘sleuthing mac’ in a couple of scenes, and without a bowler hat in sight…
Picture: Back Cover – TV Crimebusters Annual (1962)
Best wishes
Neil Hendry
Editor, Official Website of Ian Hendry
Further Reading
A detailed account of the life and work of Ian Hendry in the new biography:
Read: ‘Send in the Clowns – The Yo Yo Life Of Ian Hendry’ by Gabriel Hershman
More From Ian Hendry
This Is Your Life Camera Script (1978)
Interview In The Stage – 9th July 1964
Police Surgeon – ‘Dr. Brent’s Casebook’ – New Book Reveals The Compelling Story Behind The Almost Forgotten Series That Led To The Creation Of A Television Legend – The Avengers
Early Promotional Photograph (1963) – Ian Hendry With Gauloises Cigarette
Ian Hendry – This Is Your Life 40th Anniversary – First Broadcast On 15th March 1978 [Thames Television]
The McKenzie Break (1970) – The Ultimate Escape? Brian Keith + Helmut Griem + Ian Hendry
Peter O’Toole – In Memory
Murder On Arrival (1959) Westminster Theatre, London – Rare Poster + Programme Found!
J.P. Donleavy – Acclaimed Auther Dies At 91 – Ian Hendry Starred As Dangerfield In The BBC TV Film Version Of ‘The Ginger Man’ In 1962
Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun (1969) – Definitive Release Includes A Rare UK Version With Ian Hendry Credited In The Lead Role
Promotional Pictures – The Early Years
Rare Ian Hendry Autograph From The John Verzi Collection
Official Website of Ian Hendry – Our 2nd Anniversary Celebration!
Welcome to the Official Website of Ian Hendry
Ian Hendry + Janet Munro – Teddington Studios + Armchair Theatre’s ‘Afternoon Of A Nymph’ (1962)
The McKenzie Break (1970) – Universal Artists Promotional Still
Wolfgang Suschitzky – Cinematographer and Photographer, Dies Aged 104. His many credits include Get Carter (1971)
Ian Hendry – This Is Your Life (March 1978) – The Director’s 4:3 Ratio Cut! Eamonn Andrews + Patrick Macnee + Ian Bannen + Wanda Ventham + Tommy Cooper + More….
ATV Play ‘We’re Strangers Here’ (1973) – Ian Hendry + Geraldine McEwan – Writer: Eric Chappell
Rare Still – Los Traidores de San Angel aka Traitors of San Angel (1967)
In The Nick (1960) Clip – Anthony Newley + Ian Hendry + Bernie Winters + Harry Andrews
The Avengers TV Series 1 (1961) – A Case Reopened
The Birth Of ‘The Talkies’ – 90th Anniversary Of The World Premiere Of The Jazz Singer [1927]
Laurence Payne Obituary – Actor and Crime-Writer of Girl In The Headlines (1963)
Ian Hendry + Hildegard Neil – The Adventures of Don Quick. Rare Still Found From London Weekend Television Production [November 1970]
Theatre of Blood [1973] – Autographed By Milo O’Shea, Harry Andrews, Ian Hendry, Arthur Lowe, Robert Coote and Jack Hawkins
Gabriel Hershman With David Prowse (‘Darth Vader’ in Star Wars), Caroline Munro + Madeline Smith
Ian Hendry + Dick Emery Sketch – The Dick Emery Show [1976]. A Military Attache From The Russian Embassy Meets ‘Jack’ In A London Pub. Jack’s A British Naval Officer In Search Of A Spy And A Drink!
Ian Hendry + Constantin de Goguel – The McKenzie Break (1970) – United Artists Promotional Still
The Adventures of Don Quick (1970) – Space, Comedy, Satire And The Benefits Of Earth!