Fragrant with the whiff of jolly hockey sticks and pigtails, Bunty first appeared in January 1958 as the first “picture paper” for girls.
The weekly comic was published by DC Thomson, but circulation slumped from more than 200,000 in the 1970s to 65,000 by the late 1990s, by which time most of its competitors had ceased publication entirely.
Bunty absorbed three other DC Thomson girls’ comics during its lifetime – Suzy (1987), Nikki for Girls (May 1989), and M&J (Mandy & Judy) (1997).
A new look was introduced in 1998, aimed at girls between eight and ten. New photo stories concentrated on boys, relationships and problems at school, while ‘The Four Marys’ were relegated to the back pages.
After 2,249 issues, the weekly became a monthly reprint magazine in 2001, before folding completely five months later.
Lyn Raymond, Air Stewardess – “she has the tip-toppest job for all girls”
Maid to be a Lady
My Brother’s a Pop Star
A New Life for Lilly
Nonie’s Knight
Oriel
Penny’s Place
A Pet For Peggy
A Pony Called Punch
A Racehorse of Her Own
Ragamuffin Queen – 12-year-old Nina, an urchin from the royal forest of Marvonia, must pose as the abducted young child-queen, Marion, to prevent a revolution.
Robina Hood – The female descendants of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
