MadMap’s Comics Blog: Tom of the Titans—The Strange Case of Spanking and Soccer – By Kinky Callum

MadMap’s Comics Blog: Tom of the Titans—The Strange Case of Spanking and Soccer

Hey, what’s up, comic fans? It’s your boy, MadMap, back with another deep dive into the weirder side of vintage comics. Today, we’re stepping into the cleats of *Tom of the Titans* (TOTT), a British comic strip that ran from the 1960s to the late 1970s. If you haven’t heard of it, buckle up—because this story comes with controversy, short shorts, and enough over-the-knee action to make anyone raise an eyebrow.

Let’s set the scene: TOTT was written and illustrated by Bob Goodhand, a London-based artist whose artistic talents were matched only by his apparent, uh, “enthusiasm” for very specific scenarios. The strip followed the adventures of Tom Trace, an 18-year-old soccer prodigy with a jawline as sharp as his penalty kicks. On the pitch, Tom was a hero. Off the pitch? Well, the guy had a knack for finding trouble—and for landing himself in situations where he’d end up over the knee of some authority figure, usually an older man.

 

Now, comic book spankings were not unheard of back then—spankings were a slapstick trope, used to show discipline or comedy. But TOTT wasn’t like other comics. For one thing, it focused on an adult (well, barely adult) male character getting punished by other adult men. For another, those authority figures bore more than a passing resemblance to Goodhand himself. Coincidence? Not so much.

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The spanking scenarios often had a distinctly British flair—lots of referees, soccer managers, and stern uncles who all seemed a little too eager to spank Toms buns. There were annuals like *Tom of the Titans Yearbook* (*TOTTY,* seriously?) that doubled down on the theme, featuring stories like “Toms Tanning” or “Back to School,” where Tom was forced into an old-fashioned British school uniform before the inevitable happened. Or “Tennis Tom,” where our hero tried his hand at tennis and mouthed off like a young McEnroe—earning himself a spanking over the net. (Oh man speaking of McEnroe he was ahead of the curve with the short shorts us bros wear now!)

By the 1970s, the strip had a devoted fanbase, but things took a turn in 1978 when *The Sun* newspaper published an exposé on Goodhand’s private life. Turns out, the artist had a thing for hiring young dark haired male escorts—dressed in soccer gear—for, let’s call it, butt spanking “reenactments.” The article caused an uproar, and DC Smith, the publisher, pulled the plug on the series. Overnight, *Tom of the Titans* went from beloved strip for teenage boys to scandalous footnote in comic history.

Now, I’ll be real with you: this comic is… a lot. The spanking stuff is undeniably weird, especially when you realize Goodhand was using it as a kind of self-insert fantasy playground. But here’s the thing—comics like TOTT, no matter how bizarre or cringey, are still a fascinating snapshot of their time. They reflect the quirks, taboos, and underground cultures of the eras they were made in.

For collectors, *Tom of the Titans* is a grail—especially the annuals like *TOTTY.* While the mainstream comic market usually turns up its nose at them, these issues fetch big bucks among niche collectors, especially in certain queer communities. I’m comfortable enough in my own sexuality to admit: yeah, there’s a cheeky charm to Tom’s bratty antics. And if I ever found myself mouthing off in a pair of short shorts (and trust me, I’ve got the quads for it), I would hope a stern British guy telling me I’ve been bad and put me over his knee (joking).

So, what do you think? Is *Tom of the Titans* a cult classic or just plain problematic? Hit me up in the comments, and let’s talk about it.

Until next time, keep flexing those muscles—and your vintage comic knowledge.

Stay mad,

MadMap 😉

About MadMap (aka Aaron)

Hey, I’m Aaron, but you probably know me as *MadMap*! I’m a 24-year-old Business School grad with a passion for comics, video games, sports, and bodybuilding. When I’m not hitting the gym, I’m geeking out over vintage comics, rare finds, and pop culture deep dives on my YouTube channel, *MadMapYT*. I live with my awesome girlfriend Olivia and our dog Krypto (named after Superman’s pup). If you’re into comics, fitness, or all things nerdy, let’s connect and keep the fun going!

**MadMap Blog Update: A Conversation with Bob Goodhand—And Some Unexpected

Revelations**

Hey, comic fans! It’s your boy, MadMap, back with an update I *never* expected to write. You remember my deep dive into *Tom of the Titans* (TOTT), right? The vintage British comic strip, the scandal, and all the drama surrounding its creator, Bob Goodhand? Well, guess who slid into my inbox last month? Yep—none other than Bob himself, now in his 80s and still as sharp as a panel line.

Let me tell you, when I saw that email, I nearly dropped my protein shake. Bob thanked me for the feature, saying he was touched that someone from my generation had taken such an interest in his work. He also had a few clarifications to share about the blog—and I couldn’t resist jumping on a Teams call to hear it all straight from the man himself.

First off, the age thing. In the comics, Tom was officially 18, but Bob told me he always pictured him in his early 20s. His editor, however, insisted on keeping Tom “teen-friendly” to appeal to younger readers. It was a compromise, but in Bob’s mind, Tom was always a cheeky young man in his prime—not a kid.

As for Tom’s inspiration? Bob let me in on a little secret: the character was based on his older sister’s boyfriend back in the 1950s. “He was incredibly handsome, cheeky as they come, and an amateur footballer,” Bob said, chuckling. Young Bob apparently spent a lot of time imagining what it would be like to teach that guy a lesson or two. And during his time at Bristol Art College, those daydreams turned into the foundations of *Tom of the Titans*. The rest, as they say, is history.

Now, about *The Sun*’s infamous exposé from 1978. Bob was quick to set the record straight: yes, he did meet younger men socially for spanking sessions, and yes, they often wore football kits for fun. But he insists no money ever changed hands, calling the “rent boy” allegations flat-out false. “I was naïve to trust some of the people I met, and that left me open to exploitation,” he said. It was clear that scandal still ‘stung’ after all these years.

Of course, I couldn’t help but have a little fun with the call. Knowing Bob’s fondness for soccer kits, I decided to wear my old high school gear—complete with shorts and socks —just to see his reaction. His face lit up like a kid at Christmas. “Aaron, you’re terrible!” he scolded, but I could tell he was secretly delighted. At one point, he even wagged his finger at me and said, “You’re just like Tom—always pushing the boundaries.” I swear if Bob wasn’t across the pond , a certain young male blogger would be getting a very sore bottom 😉

I couldn’t resist leaning into the cheekiness. My gay friend Matt, who’d been hanging out during the chat, caught the vibe and gave me a playful shove. “You know what Bob would say,” I teased, bending over dramatically. Sure enough, Matt delivered a few well-aimed spanks on the seat of my shorts, in pretty sure Matts a secret spanko. Let’s just say I don’t blame Tom for blushing in those comics—those things *sting*. To say Bob was overjoyed at this was an understatement, but as I said before I am a bro who is comfortable in his sexuality, and as regular readers may know occasionally has been on the receiving end of a spank or two from my strict girlfriend, Olivia (check out her fashion tiktok btw (@Livclub98) for spending too much time gaming 😀

Talking to Bob was a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The guy is a living piece of comic history, and hearing his stories firsthand gave me a whole new appreciation for *Tom of the Titans*. It also reminded me why I love what I do—because these stories, no matter how weird or wild, connect us across generations.

Until next time, stay mad—and if you are a naughty bro like me, maybe keep a spare cushion handy, just in case.

MadMap 😉