In a world dominated by the saccharine-sweet and conventional, a gust of spine-tingling wind blew into British comic culture in 1979. This was the year when ‘Misty’, a girls’ annual with a twist, made its captivating debut. This extraordinary genre-defining phenomenon ran until 1987, successfully entrancing a generation of young readers with its dark and bewitching tales. We take a look at the eight Misty Annuals released along with information and prices, rather than the short lived comic series which will feature in another post.
Defying the norms of its time, ‘Misty’ embraced themes of the eerie, the uncanny, and the supernatural. Straying from the traditional path trodden by other girls’ comic books, Misty chose to forego tales of schoolyard dramas or benign everyday adventures. Instead, the pages of ‘Misty’ whispered hauntingly beautiful and sometimes unsettling tales of ghosts, witches, and mysterious happenings.
The creative force behind ‘Misty’ was a small, talented team with a pioneering vision. Pat Mills, former editor of ‘2000 AD’, designed the annual as a female-oriented counterpart to boys’ horror comics. Shirley Bellwood, an acclaimed artist, lent her talent to Mills’s vision, her atmospheric, almost ethereal illustrations defining ‘Misty’s’ unique identity.
Each story within ‘Misty’ was a standalone, complete narrative, often laced with a moral or cautionary note. Memorable tales such as ‘The Sentinels’, where two parallel worlds co-existed, or ‘Moonchild’, the story of a girl with special powers and a moon-shaped mark on her forehead, made a lasting impact on readers. These tales not only thrilled but also subtly educated young readers about themes of consequences, empathy, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
‘Misty’ was revolutionary in its approach, pushing boundaries with its narrative and artistry, often exploring themes that were ahead of its time. As such, it contributed significantly to the era’s gothic subculture and offered an outlet for young girls who craved a narrative more engaging and thrilling than the usual fare.
The first Misty comic itself was released on the 4th February 1978. Despite ‘Misty’s’ profound influence on the British comic industry and its readers, the actual comics run was short-lived and it merged with Tammy after only one year. The Misty Annuals themselves continued for longer and continued to be published for a remarkable seven years, and eight annuals from 1979-1986.
‘Misty’ remains a groundbreaking publication, one that dared to challenge the traditional trajectory of girls’ comics. As an intriguing beacon of gothic storytelling, it illuminated the imaginations of young readers, proving that girls, too, savoured the thrill of the supernatural. Despite its relatively brief run, ‘Misty’ left a profound impact, shaping the landscape of girls’ comics and leaving a hauntingly beautiful legacy that continues to resonate today.
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