Bash Helmet in the 1960s. The white heat of technology catches up with our gay comic superhero.

In the spring of 1965, since America’s fascination with new technology was so prevalent, Bona Ventures decided that Bash should have a robot assistant. Issue 32 introduced Beeping Tom.

Primarily built as an observation and recording device, the android had a range of lenses that enabled him to see in a number of different ways. For instance, Tom could see in the dark (‘blackness-vision’) and even through clothing (‘x-rated vision’).

The aptly named Beeping Tom first appeared in Issue 32

The remarkable robot also had a dazzling array of plug-in electrical gadgets that Bash put to full use - sometimes when fighting crime. And when Tom wasn’t required for a mission, he would simply switch to a standby mode and wait for Bash to come and turn him on.

But a few months later, a powerful figure was to silence Beeping Tom once and for all!

By May 1966, Pu Yao-Yun had grown bored of his duties at Bona Ventures and was rarely seen outside of the executive washroom. 

Bud Demsky and Godfrey Pryce held a meeting in which it was decided that they needed to extend their reach into the women’s arena. Neither man felt qualified to do this and so Demsky appointed Regina ‘Reggie’ Furburger as the new editor of Bash Helmet.

'Reggie' in her trademark coveralls

Reggie was Demsky’s former plumber and her remit was simple - increase the female readership.

On her very first day, Reggie called together the artists and writers and held up the latest issue of Bash Helmet which featured Beeping Tom on the cover.

She tore the comic in two before the startled staff and screamed,

“I am sick of electrical appliances - give me a real woman!”

And it was definitely a case of third time’s the charm when Bash was given his next sidekick - Flick Faster!