Calamity James
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Calamity James is a fictional character who has his own comic strip in the UK comic The Beano. He first appeared in issue 2311, dated 1 November 1986. Created and drawn by the Leo Baxendale influenced Tom Paterson (of Sweeny Toddler fame), James is, apparently, the unluckiest boy in the world. He has a pet lemming, Alexander (whose favourite pastime is plummeting from a large height) and in the early years was seen with a black rain cloud floating above his head. He wears a shirt with the number 13 on it. James' name is a play on Calamity Jane, whilst Alexander Lemming's name is a play on Alexander Fleming. His most common nemesises are the Little Squelchy Thingies, like:
- A Silly Little Squelchy Thingy
- A Little Yokel Squelchy Thingy.
James was once captured and taken to the Little Squelchy Thingies Land but survived their attempts to turn him into a Little Squelchy Thingy.
Calamity James is also the nickname of England football goalkeeper David James, due to his goalkeeping "howlers".