Previewing John Burns’ Arthurian Saga ‘Kelpie The Boy Wizard’

Another release from The Treasury of British Comics celebrating the incredible history of British comics and also celebrating the life of one of Britain’s finest comic artists, John Burns…

Sadly, we lost the legendary British artist John Burns in December 2023, with the entire comics industry, creators and fans, mourning his death but also celebrating the incredible body of work he produced during his life. I put my own little celebration of the man and his art here.

Now we’re getting a Treasury of British Comics collection of one of his early works, collected for the first time since it first appeared in Wham! some 60 years ago – the magical adventure, written by Ken Mennell, Kelpie the Boy Wizard.

Set back in the days of King Arthur’s reign in the time of Camelot, Kelpie the Boy Wizard tells the tales of an apprentice sorcerer to the great wizard Merlin. Kelpie and Merlin use their magics to protect the kingdom from plenty of strange threats to the realm, including the The Raven and the Weird Sisters of Doon.

Stories included are:
Kelpie the Boy Wizard, originally printed in Wham!, 20th June 1964 – 29th June 1964 – 5th September 1964
The Beast with Seven Heads, originally printed in Wham!, 12th September 1964 – 20th February 1965
Kelpie strip, originally printed in Wham! Annual 1966

Kelpie The Boy Wizard – written by Ken Mennell, art by John Burns.

Published by The Treasury of British Comics on 19 June 2024