An idle chat during a work break a fortnight ago brought out a forgotten aspect of our childhood: the African photo comic magazine. With heroes like ‘fearless fang’ (an african tarzan) and the ‘son of Samson’ (an african superman in a wrestler’s body suit) we waited every month back in the seventies and eighties for latest edition to hit the news stands. They were sold under the brand name ‘African Film’.
The leading photo comic magazine was of course ‘the Spear’, featuring Lance Spearman, the super cool detective who drove around town in an impossibly named coupe (the stingray), sporting a panama hat and smoking a cigar. Not to be outdone by 007, he too had a bevy of beauties at his beck and call. He was super cool and we all wanted to be like him, right down to the suit and the bow tie.
He pursued the baddies with gusto, outwitting their conspiracies,over coming evil and saving the day…….all in must one issue of the magazine. It was really a portfolio of black and white photos, complete with oval shaped text boxes that included all the sound effects that a kick and a quick upper cut to the jaw could possibly produce. Month in and month out we were spell bound by this African hero hunting down villains and bringing them to justice.
Nostalgia for this long lost mode of story telling has hit me pretty bad and searching for copies of the lost art form has knocked me out for the ten count. All the Internet could cough up was the fact that the series of photo comics were part of the Drum publications stable, but speculation was that the characters were from south Africa, perhaps Nigeria, perhaps Uganda (but I doubt the last bit).
No real photo of any of the characters from the comic is available, Only 2 pictures of the actual magazine can be found. And that is a sad tragedy.
Hi Kabozi. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. It’s curious that I was thinking the same thing about our African Superheroes at about the same time as you did at http://rogergachago.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/in-search-of-an-african-superhero/
Maybe we should join forces and champion a revival of sorts 🙂
I’m glad I came across your blog. I’m sure it will keep us all in intrigue for years to come.
Hi Roger, thanks for the comment. Indeed we need to generate a collecting culture in order to safe guard our common past. Question is where do we start, no one seems to know where to get these mags, can’t even identify who really published them.
I would like to get in touch with you.
Reblogged this on AN IDLE MIND and commented:
I was delighted to find someone else who remembers Lance Spearman, Fearless Fang and the Son of Sam as I mentioned them a couple of months back while searching for an African superhero.
My friends and I are discussing this right now…
Have you guys found anyone with old copies of this lost art form?
Interesting that you guys are discussing Lance Spearman. As Clement said ,we were just reminiscing about him and his crew (Captain Vic, Lemmy, Sonya), and the baddies Dr Devil, Rabon Zolo and the catburglars on Facebook. Sadly getting copies of these magazines is like pulling skin off teeth. Seems there’s a lot of people really interested in getting a hold of these magazines. I have a copy of a more recent Drum magazine that I purchased at Nairobi Airpost two years ago. Drum should have archived information somewhere. I’ll see what I can find out. I do have some clips from one episode ofthe Spear called “The Spear Meets Bomber Brown” which I could post if there was a way to do so on this site.
Hi Daniel, it nice to know there are lots of us out there missing the ‘old’ days. Please email me the clips and I will post them faster than you can say ‘Sonya kissed lance spearman’.
Hello everybody, i have some copies, from 104 – 208.
My mobile number. +254723410496
Kenney, you are sitting on gold! Maybe you could scan a few covers and share with us?
yes i can do that but how will i upload to your page? you check also check out my page on face book “AFRICAN FILM COMIC MAGAZINE ” have uploaded some cover pics.
Your Facebook group is a closed one.
Please email me a few cover pics and I will feature them in a post on this blog. (jamo330@hotmail.com)
I have sent you some cover pictures, check your mail.
Thank you and Best Regards.
Kenney my email is fredssessanga@hotmail.com. I would like to get in touch with you.
Hi Kenny would like to get in touch with you. You should scan those magazines and put them some where, there are gold…..Do u have any copies of Big Ben of London and Son of Samson?
Kabozi, sorry, I didn’t see this until now. I’ll post some clips on the Facebook group that I believe we were all added to. I hope you added Kenney too, I’m very interested in seeing what he’s got. .
hi Daniel;
this is mebs like you i have was reading Lance Spear man, Boom and stranger while growing up. i have started a production company and would like to recreate these nostalgic moments in today time n event. have a weekly series on DSTV? any ideas? is there any copyright?
regards
mebs
I was also an avid reader and fan of all these black heros – lance Spearman and his girlfriends (Tandi Sonia….) as well as comrade crimebusters (Captain Victor and little boy Lemmy), Fearless Fang, the Stranger, and much later Big Ben of London, Son of Sam (Ken Gumpo). Though I had not seen this I had written through email to the editor of the current Drum Magazine but no response has been received yet. Anyone out there with some ideas or even the old magazines? My number is 0724517691. Let us share the good old kid days. And to the publishers (Drum) please start it up all over again, ama?
I was searching for these old comics and came across this blog! Those were the days! Kenney Kimeli, how can I get scanned copies of those mags from you?
anyway to bring Lance Spearman back?
Yeah let us all apply the pressure on the publishers. In fact they do not need to create new episodes. Those same old ones will do if only they can repeat them. We will buy the magazines. Imagine I used to spend all my pocket money on the comics (by then they sold at KShs. 1.00 only). Are they (publishers) reading this? I would like see Fearless Fang fighting Kongrilla or Lance Spearman sort out with Dr. Devil just after little boy Lemmy had a match with the Dumbell Brothers, eh? Remembering the episodes makes me sad.
Does anyone know who owns the rights to the magazine?
Dear all,
I am dying to get to the root of this matter. Please lets bring the African heroes back. I am the leader of my community in the UK estimated to be in the region of 2.5 million and its really sad that African/Black youths kill each other using knifes in London. Its become an epidemic. I was discussing with someone a few days ago and we all reminisced about our past heroes adn Lance Spearman, who is arguably the biggest black heroe. I now want to do something with it to bring this character back to live and to wake the blacks up in the UK. Please help in anyway you can. You can send me any material you can find to: abimbola70@aol.com or visit my organisations website for more information about what we are trying to achieve. http://www.canuk.org.uk
Please scan copies that you may have to my email address or send me any information you have. God bless.
Could anyone tell me the real name of Lance Spearman ?
I believe DRUM magazine were the publishers.
Hi am from kenya my late dad used to buy for the family the spear boom fearless fang back in the 60’s n early 70’s those r wonderful memories.iwish someone had a few copies.
2 interesting links on how the Lance Spearman character originated and impact on those of us who grew up in the 60s and 70s
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http://www.chimurengalibrary.co.za/essay.php?id=26&cid=26_1
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Click to access Geneva%20NY%20Daily%20Times%201968%20Nov-Dec%201968%20Grayscale%20-%200051.pdf
Boy am i glad i came across this blog, absolutely enjoyed reading about lance spearman especially how he illustrated his punches, “take that, and this” ha ha
there was another one called son of sam, where the guy was called Ken Gumpo then when he changed into his superhero outfit he would become son of sam, like a sort of African superman.
I just googled Lance spearman, as a sudden thought of that comic magazine came to my mind and there you some people were sharing my thoughts, ummmh, I am happy I can share with nostalgia my primary school days.
The comics of 60s and 70s were great materials that impacted on the youths of that time. It will be interesting bringing them back to life. I will appreciate cover samples to relive my memory.
i have a copy of Faerless Fang
Saved from primary school in Arusha from 1967.
I wish I had a Spear.
They where great comics,the black 007
can i get that copy of fearless fang please. i have a copy too. issue no. 66
I love the magazine, African FILM, especially the editions featuring Lance the Spearman vs Rabon Zollo, the Millionaire as well as the ones featuring the Skull, the rogue mayor-turned-armed gangster. I’m ready to buy those copies from whoever is willing to sell them. A. Adamu.
You guys have just made me shed tears. That I can speak English today and that I went to the University was only to be able to read lance PEAR MAN and BOOM the fearless fang. I begged my cousine to read and interprete the stories while I watch the pictures. It was better than all the holly wood films. We did all these ( I mean Africans) and today we allow ourselves to be treated like dust. If this cartoons could hit Nigeria Nolly wood today, in that very setup. James Bond film will hide, Tarzan will be a bed time story. again BOOM and his Elephant. BOOM the Green piece founder. He protected nature.
Came across this blog as I Googled spear / boom. I used to buy each and every one of the spear / Boom(Fearless Fang??) comics when I was in Uganda. This would be the mid / late 60’s and prior to 72. Would like to get my hands on these comics. If anyone is willing sell their copies please contact me.
Where can I purchase old copies of African Film, the Adventures of Lance Speaman?
I read lots of lance Spearman aka The Spear and another series called Fearless Fang (kind of Tarzan) in early 70s. My Dad was a fan and he bought many series. I do not know if he still have them.. I think the name of the guy that played Lance spear is Jore Mkwanazi, a South African. I will ask my dad now 83yrs
Get in touch with me please
in what african country do lance spear man and his crew originate from?
Hi folks, where does this end. Are we getting pdf copies of Spear on the net or what? Someone is sitting on a gold mine and does not know it. If you wnt to share, scan the comics and post them in pdf format ( at the least) and we will take it. Better that than NOT.
Hello, I found my way here after reminiscing about Boom and Fearless Fang also. I was a white American boy who went to a British boarding school in Turi, called St. Andrews… Fang and Boom were top demand contraband let me tell you ! 1967… so long ago. I have missed Kenya for the rest of my life. It is a world I keep dear, tucked away in my heart, that nobody in the USA could begin to understand. To even hear a bit of nostalgic discussion of a detail like Boom ties a thread of reality back to that golden place. Thank you.
Anyone with copies of Film featuring Lance Spearman and Fearless Fang (Boom) should please get in touch at fredoxone@gmail.com. Thanks.
Guys, Captain Victor-the cop is the legendary Hollywood actor Don Rickles.
From three years old i listened to my mother read and tell me the stories from lance §pearman, lemmy Captain Victor and Fearless Fang. She dressed me according to the fashion Lemmy wore each month. I have searched everywhere for the source of those comics without success. WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO BRING THEM BACK. There was another, “Sadness and Joy”. Ready and willing to make any contribution towards their resurrection.
There was “Powerman” also. Kind os African Superman. Renewed his energy from electricity or lightening
Why is nobody answering the question of whether they know how to get or buy copies of these magazines? SMH…
The Spear will be back soon. We found some copies. I will be back to post more information later.
Have PDF files, i can sell to you. if interested. Contact me on skenneykim@gmail.com or call +254723410496
Hi all. Loved reading all about your memories of Fearless Fang ( Boom ) who then mortified into another Comic edition called The Stranger ( Cowboys in Africa). Brilliant. I went to Sschool in Arusha and collected these Comics, still have them to to this day, whoich I treasure as they bring back so many happy memories. I was at Arusha School 1966 to 1969 9 iN nORTH hOUSE )..
At last, i have people who share the same experience with me. I’m so nostalgic about spearman, anybody who can reproduce for us the old copies and share with us on-line?
Have PDF files, i can sell to anyone interested. from issue 103 to 180. Contact me on skenneykim@gmail.com or call +254723410496
African Film was just one of the many photo comics or “look books” that flooded English-speaking West Africa in the early post-colonial era. Catering to the new urban youth, the series featured the mythical persona of Lance Spearman, a.k.a. “The Spear,” a black James Bond-like crime fighter as the central character. The character was portrayed by Jore Mkwanazi. (Copyright Wikipedia)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Spearman