My best pal Debbie Writer recalls how comics inspired a generation

TWO Scottish exhibitions are creating a rosy glow of nostalgia this month.

Girls In Print explores the changing face of women in comic culture at Dundee University, while a series of comic-related activities and events are running at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

Here, writer Jan Patience lovingly sifts through her childhood comic collection.

Comic-loving Jan is pictured here as a cheery nine year old. corresponded until we were in our remembers the thrill of finding a teens but never met. pen pal through The Beano.

Recently, Inge – now Inge Semple “You were allocated someone,” and an artist – contacted me she recalls, “and I got a girl from through Facebook and we marHayling Island on the south coast of velled as our instant messages England. It all seemed so exotic.” bounced across continents in secIn today’s digitally- connected onds. This would have fitted world, girls’ comics have been releinto the realms of sci- fi gated to the realms of collectors’ when we were children. items on eBay.

Journalist and broadBut when Sally and I were caster, Sally Magnusson, growing up, they offered easy was also a comic lover and access into wondrous worlds

which set our imaginations – Sally Magnusson. and our pulses – racing. in 2001. But fondness for the golden era remains strong, as shown by the popularity of an exhibition at Dundee University featuring iconic DC Thomson favourites.

“There’s definitely a sense of nostalgia around these comics,” added Anne.

“It takes you back to what feels like a simpler era.

“The stories always had a

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