Ringo Starr

The claim “Paul Writes Our Beatle Movie Spoof!” on the cover of Sick #33 (Dec. 1964) was not spurious; it was penned by gagman Paul Laiken. Help! featured bald Beatles on its Jan. 1965 cover. Sick © Headline Publications, Inc.; Help! © General Promotions Co.

The Beatle Buggy from Super Cracked Annual #1 (1968). The artist is unidentified; perhaps a John Severin quickie?

© Major Magazines

Sick over singers

Below: Honestly, do they look like the Beatles to you? From the cover of Sick (June 1964). Art: Jack Davis. Right: Yet another “bald Beatles” gag from the same edition. Below right: An outraged reader responds to same, in Sick #33 (Dec. 1964). Bottom: In 1964, Louis Armstrong knocked the Beatles out of the #1 chart spot with “Hello Dolly,” hence this topical gag from Sick #33. (In real life, George Harrison seems an unlikely person to disrespect ol’ Satchmo.)

© Headline Publications

Toon time

Engaging caricatures of, from top left, the Dave Clark Five; Maureen Starkey (wife of Ringo); the Stones; the Hermits (with the Beach Boys); and the Animals are believed to be from 1966-68 issues of Teen World and Movie Teen Illustrated, artist unknown.

© Teen World; © Camera Workshop Publications, Inc.