"Bella at the Bar" (also known as "That Barlow Kid", or simply "Bella") was a strip that ran in Tammy, drawn by John Armstrong, from 1974 to 1984. Writers included Jenny McDade, John Wagner, Primrose Cumming and Malcolm Shaw.[1] Its main character was a wee lass named Bella who was into gymnastics. She lived an unhappy life with her uncle and aunt, helping her uncle's work as a window cleaner without pay. She often used her gymnastic abilities to fight injustice. A strip in the 1977 Tammy annual (written by Primrose Cumming)[2] sees her whacking a bully with a ladder after he taunts a young male ballet dancer.
Armstrong based the character's looks on his niece.[3]
References[]
- ↑ Brave Bella Barlow, Tammy's most popular heroine, Books Monthly
- ↑ Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury, Great British Comics, p.141
- ↑ Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury, Great British Comics, p.141