The cover artwork is by two of Fleetway's finest. Eric Parker drew the Battler Britton vignette and the illustration for Famous Combat Forces, while Bill Lacey handled the main illustration. Bill Lacey even signed his work here; one of the few Fleetway artists to do so.
Inside, the issue kicked off with a complete Battler Britton story. I'm not sure who the artist is here. (As always, click on images to see them full size.)
Knockout at this point contained a good variety of adventure strips, adventure text stories, and humour strips. One of the latter was Blarney Bluffer, drawn by Angel Nadal. It was later reprinted and retitled Gabby McGlew in Valiant.
Westerns were still popular in 1960 and Knockout had Pony Express, drawn by Bill Lacey. Most comics of the time had little or no colour interiors and what's notable about comic artists back then is how superbly they mastered the techniques for black and white illustration. Bill Lacey being a prime example, with clear storytelling and no clutter.
The prose stories also featured exceptional artwork. This one is from The Nightriders, a Dick Turpin adventure. Art by Ronald Simmons.
Plenty going on with this page featuring two funnies. I think Professsor Knockout is by Nadal, but I don't know who drew Our Vera the Interferer.
The adverts in comics are a good reflection of the times. Back then, kids were encouraged to "Look for the Golly" (a paper figure that had been inserted behind the label on the jamjar) and if they collected ten they could send away for a metal brooch. These were very popular in the sixties, although I must admit they never appealed to me. Long gone now of course, and just an embarrassing footnote in history.
The Mad Emperor was a serial that ran for just nine episodes in 1960. The artwork, by Robert Forrest, was absolutely incredible. (You can find out more about the artist here:
http://bookpalace.com/acatalog/ArtistsBiographies.html#BIOGF )
Billy Bunter was of course a mainstay of Knockout throughout its run, and even continued into Valiant for many years when the two comics merged. This busy full pager is by Albert Pease. (Bunter would soon become the cover star of the comic as it was re-branded Billy Bunter's Knockout. I'll show an issue of that soon!)
This issue also featured an advert for the Knockout Annual. A snip at 8/6d (42 and a half pence) but relatively expensive in 1960.
Further reading:
