Achy Breaky

Ah sadly, the course of true love never runs smooth and the sooner teenage girls realise their fickle ways end up in heart ache the better.

Or at least that appears to be the thinking of the nameless author of this romance story found in the first edition of Man And Woman, a locally produced DC reprint comic. (Click on the pictures to view larger images)

The story starts with our forelorn Martha, filled with regret, standing in a phone box doing one of two things:

a) testing the world's first mobile phone (note the lack of cable connecting the handset with the phone), or

b) in her distraught condition the poor lass is actually using the phone UPSIDE DOWN.


Martha and Carl fall in love with the rapidity one expects in these publications, but by the sixth frame, someone else is whispering sweet nothings in her ear:

Honey -- that's not love! I've been watching the two of you all evening... You're kidding yourselves!

Mmmm, stalker huh?


Oh dear, Martha's head has been turned by her handsome admirer.

I'm taking a ride over to Fairview for a double malted... I'll treat you to one if you'll come along.

Double malted. Right.

Translation: "I'll ply you with hard liquor until you come across."

Wait a minute, (checks further down the panel).

No, he really does mean a double malted milkshake.

But wait. What's this? Carl's going away for two days?

Gil must be rubbing his... hands with glee.


Parties, golf, swimming, dancing, galleries, the fair, the opera, the engagement ring and the house.

In two days.

Let's count 'em again. TWO DAYS.


Well Carl seems to be taking the news well.

Or perhaps not.

Did you know he had never even touched a cigarette before that moment?

Now he's committing suicide just one nicotine laden cancer stick at a time.

At this rate he'll be dead in another 50 years.

Poor lad.

Our runaway bride then seeks professional counselling in order for her to come to terms with her inability to commit to a serious adult relationship.

Only kidding.

Useless superficial flings it is.


And now here we are.

Back to the first frame.

Will Martha win back back Carl before he turns into a two pack a day man?

Nope.