Pocket War Comics

Cover of the Week Air Ace Picture Library 316 Flying Joker

2012-01-08T04:38:00.000-08:00

It always stirs the heart to see an Allied biplane pilot giving his Hun adversary a bit of what for.There's no doubt been a bit of a jolly struggle to get to this point - as the holes in the English aircraft testify.

There's been some attempt to convey historical accuracy but that's not important here. I'm a little confused by what appears to be an unsupported strut in the middle of the pilot's view and I don't believe the earth and sky have ever been that colour yellow at the some time.But damn it it works!

Despite my pedestrian understanding of art and my strong felt prejudices against Dogfight Dixon I really like this cover. Everything comes together to make you want to pick up Air Ace 316 Dogfight Dixon and the Flying Joker and read it. Everything from the holes in the wing and fuselage, the burning plane, the flight attitudes of the two aircraft, the cut out flash in red and the entertaining title font to act as motivators that say "pick me up".

As covers go 9/10 easy.

War Picture Library Advertising - The Royal Navy

2011-12-08T03:25:00.000-08:00

How long did it take for Royal Navy recruiters to realise that there was a vast audience of potential recruits sitting out there reading pocket war comics? The recruiters thought they must have hit upon a gold mine of impressionable lads when they started to advertise in Fleetway Publications.

The Royal Navy needs you!

This advertisement comes from December 1967 and adorns the inside front cover of War Picture Library 412 Murder Charge. Now modern day marketing types would flinch at positioning the Royal Navy next to a title like that. There would be an uproar and the inevitable trial by social media. No doubt the marketing types in 1967 were made of sterner stuff than their modern day counterparts.

You would think that after 44 years that the recruitment strategy for the Royal Navy would be vastly different - but a quick look the website for Royal Navy careers tells you that things haven't really changed all that much.

...go for the life that has action and adventure.

AAGH! of the Week. War At Sea Picture Library 19 Close Quarters

2011-11-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 74 Front Line

2011-10-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

AAGH! of the Week. Battle Picture Library 73 The Digger Breed.

2011-10-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

Air Ace Picture Library 240 Havoc Over Russia - Complete Issue

2011-10-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

Just for something a little bit different here is the complete issue of Air Ace Picture Library 240 Havoc Over Russia. Enjoy!

War Picture Library Advertising - Royal Navy

2011-10-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

How long did it take? The Royal Navy needs you! The recruiters thought they must have hit upon a gold mine of impressionable lads when they started to advertise in Fleetway Publications.

...go for the life that has action and adventure.

AAGH! of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 298 Superfort Strike

2011-10-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

Published on this day in October

2011-10-11T05:32:00.000-07:00

I've missed this update for while a little while but I'm back on track.

War Picture Library 164   TheLast Round                      1/10/1962
War Picture Library 165   Firstof the Line                     1/10/1962
War Picture Library 166   MassacreMountain                1/10/1962
War Picture Library 167   TheBrave and the Damned   1/10/1962
War Picture Library 116   Manof Destiny                        2/10/1961
War Picture Library 117   TheTroubled Sea                   2/10/1961
War Picture Library 118   Heatof Battle                          2/10/1961
War Picture Library 119   Thunderin the Desert             2/10/1961
War Picture Library 404   DoubleImage                         2/10/1967
War Picture Library 407   TheSteel Coffin                      2/10/1967
War Picture Library 68   EnemyEngaged                     3/10/1960
War Picture Library    69   TheHungry Guns                   3/10/1960
War Picture Library   70   TheWhispering Death           3/10/1960
War Picture Library    71   ZeroHour                               3/10/1960
War Picture Library   356 MissionCompleted                3/10/1966
War Picture Library   357 TheHighest Standard           3/10/1966
War Picture Library   358 Holdto the Last                     3/10/1966
War Picture Library   359 HeartbreakHill                       3/10/1966
War Picture Library   308 TheLast Frontier                   4/10/1965
War Picture Library   309 PhantomFlotilla                     4/10/1965
War Picture Library   310 Burdenof Guilt                       4/10/1965
War Picture Library   311 RougeCompany                    4/10/1965
War Picture Library   260 Brothersin Arms                    5/10/1964
War Picture Library   261  GloryRoad                             5/10/1964
War Picture Library   262  Untamed                                5/10/1964
War Picture Library   263  Nothingto Lose                     5/10/1964
War Picture Library   212  Soundthe Alarm                   7/10/1963
War Picture Library   213  WhereDanger Stalks            7/10/1963
War Picture Library   214  RoughJustice                       7/10/1963
War Picture Library   215  TheUndefeated                    7/10/1963

War Picture Library Advertising - Stamps

2011-10-10T04:14:00.000-07:00

The First Space Stamp! This is another reason to build that time machine. I had a very quick search of the internet and I could not match the picture of the First Space Stamp shown in this advertisement to anything I could find online. However during my search I did discover that if you have a stack of French Antarctica stamps lying around they could be worth something (not necessarily a lot but at least something). Also isn't it kind of wonderful how French Antartica 'that 'fantastic new country' can appear in the same sentence with the Red China Liberation Imperforate' and both only a few lines away from the Boy Scout Jamboree sheet.

On other matters...

So if there's a Lot P2 - does that mean that there's also a Lot P1 or is there a Lot P3 coming up?

Also look at the prices! There must have been a lot of profit margin in stamps for the folk from Denmark Hill.

AAGH! of the Week. Battle Picture Library 251 Vendetta

2011-10-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

War Picture Library 412 Murder Charge

2011-10-02T03:48:00.000-07:00

Is being brave enough? Sergeant Bill Holt is clearly brave enough but what happens when being brave interferes with orders - even if they are the wrong orders?War Picture Library 412 Murder Charge is all about not giving up and keeping up the fight even though you are ordered to retreat and are under questionable command.
Sergeant Holt is the replacement NCO for a cynical platoon lead by an ungrateful officer. The worst thing about Lieutenant Jessup is that he's already given up - he's lost the fight in him and he's prone to panic and is open to the offer of surrender. Holt, however, is ready to keep on fighting and when forced too has no alternative but to kill Jessup in order to save a desperate situation.
Interestingly this happens by page 37, leaving 21 pages to tail-end the story. Holt knows that the army has a dim view on NCOs shooting their officers so he decides to go absent without leave but not before leading the remnant of his platoon to relative safety. The fly in the ointment of his little farewell plan is the dead lieutenant's pet corporal who is quick to report the (technically correct) murder to his superiors. The commanding officers want Holt brought back alive and the remainder of the story follows Holt's naturally dramatic retrieval.
Murder Charge is a very well constructed and thought out action filled War Picture Library comic. The writing is strong and even though there's plenty of action - none of it is gratuitous.
Only if more stories could be like this one.

Says who?

Not looking good... particularly when there's an ACH! and an AAGH! involved. Also that guy in the front of the panel doesn't look too happy.

Stukas!

Happy to be alive or just sharing a good joke?

Derision with a capital h.

He doesn't look very cool, calm or efficient to me.

Broken English? Nothing wrong with his sentence structure.

...or we could stay here safe behind this rock.

Nice composition.

They teach you how to stand like that in German officer's school.

It would be very messy inside that little tank now.

AAGH! of the Week. Battle Picture Library 68 Seize and Hold.

2011-09-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

AAGH! of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 349 Duel Over Malta

2011-09-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

AAGH! of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 412 Tigers in Action.

2011-09-22T06:04:00.000-07:00

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 490 Strange Allies

2011-09-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

Published on this day 22 September

2011-09-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

Battle Picture Library 217 Break for Life 22/09/1965
Battle Picture Library 218 Forbidden Glory 22/09/1965
Battle Picture Library 219 Broadside 22/09/1965
Battle Picture Library 220 Death Warrant 22/09/1965

War Picture Library 220 The Atlantic Wall

2011-09-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

There's a breath of honesty in The Atlantic Wall that is missing in most other pocket war comics. Victory is paid in blood. The toll of British dead is extraordinarily high. At the risk of sounding morbid it is this aspect of the story that makes it a good read. Not all the characters who are introduced survive.

The pivot of the story is Brigadier "Blood and Thunder" "Big Jumbo" JMB Oliphant - an inspiration to his men as well as a perfectly eccentric English officer. He prefers to go into battle wearing his monocle and a black jumper with his two hunting dogs by his side and a sten gun in his hands. He's quick to praise and promote initiative. He is interested in results! Also (and perhaps alarming to our modern sensibilities) he has little time for sentimentality, for example the Brigadier sees a dead British soldier clutching a piat as a wasted firing opportunity. The tears can come later.
This is where the honesty can be found. Of course there are the typical extreme comic book moments. There can be no other way. However minor characters are given a chance to evolve. After that they are unlucky and buy it or lucky and survive. Which is interesting to find a War Picture Library story that openly says that luck sometimes has a part to play in success. But as we learn in The Atlantic Wall luck is only created by making things happen and things only happen as a result of strong leadership.

Now that's how you wage war!

You might be smug now...

Sergeant Goldfinger (bottom right hand corner) survives the battle only to meet his fate several years later at the hands of another Englishman.

You do the right things and this is what happens...

Psycho old dude with dogs wastes two bad guys.

Karl and Ernst have their final lesson.

If there wasn't a war on I'd let them eat you.

Thems big Nazis.

Our weird little guys are better than your little weird guys.

Outstanding lack of sentimentality. I love it.

What? Daring do not enough? Luck had no part to play in it.

The old I got you but you got me Aggghhh!

What! Remorse? Where did this nonsense come from?

For you windowhead the war is over.

Published on this day 20 September

2011-09-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

Air Ace Picture Library 258 Paratroop Pilot 20/09/1965
Air Ace Picture Library 259 Achtung Mosquito! 20/09/1965
Air Ace Picture Library 260 Hunted Bomber 20/09/1965
Air Ace Picture Library 261 Pacific Invasion 20/09/1965

Published on this day 18 September

2011-09-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

Air Ace Picture Library 354 Lightning Flash 18/09/1967
Air Ace Picture Library 355 Delayed Action 18/09/1967
Battle Picture Library 25 Brotherhood of Blood 18/09/1961
Battle Picture Library 26 To the Last Man 18/09/1961
Battle Picture Library 27 Death-and Glory 18/09/1961
Battle Picture Library 28 Proud Heritage 18/09/1961

Published on this day 17 September

2011-09-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

Battle Picture Library 73 The Digger Breed 17/09/1962

Published on this day 16 September

2011-09-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

Battle Picture Library 361 The Iron General 16/09/1968
Battle Picture Library 362 Hoodlum Patrol 16/09/1968
Battle Picture Library 363 The Dead Keep Faith 16/09/1968
Battle Picture Library 364 Road From Tobruk 16/09/1968

AAGH! of the Week. War at Sea Picture Library 1 Devil's Cargo

2011-09-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

AAGH! of the Week. Battle Picture Library 251 Vendetta

2011-09-14T18:01:00.000-07:00

Published on this day 15 September

2011-09-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

Air Ace Picture Library 456 The Devil His Due 15/09/1969
Air Ace Picture Library 457 One By One 15/09/1969
Battle Picture Library 417 Devil's Island 15/09/1969
Battle Picture Library 418 The Burning Sky 15/09/1969

Are we the baddies?

2011-09-10T00:19:00.001-07:00

http://youtu.be/OpZ8EkK3eWY

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 136 Last Ditch

2011-09-08T03:52:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week War Picture Library 270 At Bayonet Point

2011-09-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

I feel a a gruesome interpretation of the title would have been more apt. However given the times is may not have been appropriate or warranted. Still the cover of War Picture Library 270 At Bayonet Point proves that it always more sensible and favourable to give rather than it is to receive.

I love the tight palette of colours used for this cover and the use of highlights behind the lead figure. Even though he doesn't look overly driven by blood lust he remains equally menacing - but strangely not overly threatening. However he should be terrifying given his actions and the situation in which he is plying his trade - but he lacks character. In fact the more I look at him the more I find him to be be a little bit bland.

The best I can give is 7/10.

Published on this day 6 September

2011-09-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

War Picture Library 304 Battle Drill 6/09/1965
War Picture Library 305 Thunder Island 6/09/1965
War Picture Library 306 At the Kill 6/09/1965
War Picture Library 307 Born Leader 6/09/1965

Quote of the Week

2011-09-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

"AAAGH! I'm hit...but I'm not giving up..." Second-Lieutenant John Carter, Royal Flying Corp in Air Ace Picture Library 470 Double Image.

Published on this day 5 September

2011-09-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

War Picture Library 352 Beam Attack 5/09/1966
War Picture Library 353 War Without End 5/09/1966
War Picture Library 354 The Executioners 5/09/1966
War Picture Library 355 The Lost Platoon 5/09/1966
Lion Picture Library 71 The Slow Death 5/09/1966
Lion Picture Library 72 The Scent of Danger 5/09/1966
Lion Picture Library 73 Red Beach 5/09/1966
Lion Picture Library 74 Last of the Gladiators 5/09/1966
War Picture Library 64 Breaking Point 5/09/1960
War Picture Library 65 Danger Dives Deep 5/09/1960
War Picture Library 66 Task Force 5/09/1960
War Picture Library 67 Battle Drop 5/09/1960

Air Ace Picture Library 248 The Missing Bombers

2011-09-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Japanese are so reasonable in this story they could be confused for Germans. When Air Ace Picture Library 248 The Missing Bombers turns to the Japanese they're not getting ready to die for the Emperor, nor are they calling anybody a dog, nor do they get a lot of chances to let out a final AIEEEE! The lack of stereotyping is a little bit disturbing. In fact the Japanese are portrayed as an organised enemy who just happen to make the mistake of fighting against the Allies. The artwork also doesn't have that agro guy looking though his extra thick spectacles as you would expect in one of these comic books.
All the racism is a part of the story and not in the story - if you know what I mean.
At the centre of The Missing Bombers is Kenaka Cooper, a flying chappy, who has a Japanese mother and an English father. His posting to a Wellington squadron raises a few eyebrows as well as a few hackles. Not only are the allies hard up against it now they have to contend with a having a traitor in their midst. Kenaka is of course no traitor.
I like seeing Wellington bombers in pocket war comics and I was a little disappointed not to see more of them. However for some reason there a lots and lots of panels with blokes just standing around - this issue should win a prize for the most small crowd scenes seen in a war comic book. Needless to say the narrative device of getting the Wellingtons to fly through the secret canyon is just silly.
In its own way The Missing Bombers is a sensitive story as the men around Cooper have to come grips with his ethnicity.

Well if you look really closely only 3 of them are really flying. Two of them are sort of crashing and the last one is missing.

Three disjointed panels of action on the same page. I think the artist was standing a bit close to the ink fumes.

That almost sounds reasonable. Are you sure you're the bad guys?

It's a message from your wife. She says don't forget to go past the supermarket on the way home and pick up some bread and milk.

Who else knows about this?

So that's way he's shorter than everyone else!

Well say it out loud man! You're about to get in an aircraft with him.

Nice panel.

Hey! Why go over it when you can go through it.

Interesting perspective.

Why would you have to do that? Also that guy on the radio looks like he's just lost a bet.

Can I move if I surrender?

Check out the cool gun the Japanese marine is holding.

I don't know if holding hands with another man would be considered manly back in 1963.

Published on this day 4 September

2011-09-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

War Picture Library 401 Brush with Death 4/09/1967
War Picture Library 112 Ceiling Zero 4/09/1961
War Picture Library113 Attack 4/09/1961
War Picture Library114 Cry Defiance 4/09/1961
War Picture Library 115 The Ranks of the Damned 4/09/1961

Published on this day 3 September

2011-09-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

War Picture Library 160 Sniper 3/09/1962
War Picture Library 161 Open Sights 3/09/1962
War Picture Library 162 Snarl of Battle 3/09/1962
War Picture Library 163 Hell's Heroes 3/09/1962

Published on this day 2 September

2011-09-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

War Picture Library 208 Taken by Storm 2/09/1963
War Picture Library 209 Desert Duel 2/09/1963
War Picture Library 210 To the Victor 2/09/1963
War Picture Library 211 Comrades in Arms 2/09/1963

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 83 McMain's Marauders

2011-09-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

Published on this day 30 August

2011-08-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

War Picture Library 467 Fire Call (30/08/1968)
War Picture Library 468 The Price of Glory (30/08/1968)

Quote of the Week

2011-08-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

"Stone the crows! That was close!" Private Tim in War Picture Library 220 The Atlantic Wall.

They got blinged well up though...

2011-08-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 133 The Big Arena

2011-08-25T03:54:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week War Picture Library 222 Road to Berlin

2011-08-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

Same story as the Battle Picture Library version - but does the cover make it any more exciting? Published 6 years apart the War Picture Library cover is possibly more exciting but not as stylised as its younger brother. However this cover is definitely more comic book style in appearance.
I guess because it is brighter it might be more likely to be picked up and purchased. Also the dual action renders, mixing of graphic styles and direct type font makes this cover very exciting. There's no doubt that there's plenty of things that go 'bang' in the following enclosed pages.
Bouncing around in a tank would not have been fun and the three exposed crewman in that Churchill do appear very determined to get on with it. Likewise the three Germans manning that gun also appear to be very determined to stop that tank.
War Picture Library 222 Road to Berlin is bright and exciting and worth picking up. It says all the right things so it gets 10/10.
Just how many perfect 10s are out there?

Quote of the Week

2011-08-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

"It is an American aircraft! Take it's number comrade!" An angry Soviet soldier in Air Ace Picture Library 240 Havoc Over Russia.

War Picture Library 222 Road to Berlin

2011-08-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been passed over for promotion? Should you be leading and not following? Why have you missed out? Is the system against you? Is the old boys club not working in your favour? Is the affirmative action programme failing you? Or perhaps...just maybe you're not good enough. Could it be that the job went to the better (sorry ladies) man? That, pretty much, is the story behind War Picture Library 222 Road to Berlin.
This is actually a pretty good story for a number of reasons.
First there's the bonehead at the centre of the Road to Berlin who goes through most of the story needing to drink a cup of cement. Don't worry he comes good in the end.
Also most pocket war comics tend to pay lip service to the real events in World War Two however has a reasonable account of the Battle for Arnhem. Also for the tread heads there are some great panels of British armour. I got the feeling that this story may have been completed by at least two artists because the style seems to change from panel to panel. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, or that I'm right, it's just my observation.
So get your orders, get in your tank, harden up and hit the road!

When too many riding pants are not enough.

He thought a rude word!

Nice tank.

...and let that be a lesson to you.

Route-Taping! Arrrghh! I've not heard that phrase in many years...

Anything in war is far - particularly if you have the biggest pants.

What a great looking panel.

Not to be outdone the Germans had big pants of their own. However their grip of tactics was fatally flawed. Wouldn't it have been better to block the path with the enemy's dead?

Able-One has a tash that means business.

...are you sure that Aaagh! is not coming from inside the Tardis.

Nice panel. Nice detail.

Another nice panel.

Proving yet again that a wrought iron balustrade is no protection against a 95mm howitzer.

Great panel for those who like to swan about.

Published on this day 21 August

2011-08-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

Battle Picture Library 21 The Mark of the Beast (21/08/1961)
Battle Picture Library 22 Fort Blood (21/08/1961)
Battle Picture Library 23 Day of Wrath (21/08/1961)
Battle Picture Library 24 Shoot First? (21/08/1961)

No way blood, I'm done flying today...

2011-08-19T23:41:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to ghost of a flea for finding this.

Published on this day 20 August

2011-08-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

Battle Picture Library 69 Hit Back (20/08/1962)
Battle Picture Library 70 Aim to Kill (20/08/1962)
Battle Picture Library 71 Macey's Mob (20/08/1962)
Battle Picture Library 72 One Must Die (20/08/1962)

Published on this day 19 August

2011-08-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

Air Ace Picture Library 398 No Escape (19/08/1968)
Air Ace Picture Library 399 Renrgade (19/08/1968)
Air Ace Picture Library 400 The Big Punch (19/08/1968)
Air Ace Picture Library 401 Peanut Express (19/08/1968)
Battle Picture Library 357 Fight or Die! (19/08/1968)
Battle Picture Library 358 Hell's Heroes (19/08/1968)
Battle Picture Library 359 The Last Stronghold (19/08/1968)
Battle Picture Library 360 Inferno Island (19/08/1968)

AAGH! of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 127 High Tension

2011-08-18T04:12:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week Battle Picture Library 304 Road to Berlin

2011-08-17T04:23:00.000-07:00

Store wear, tape, staples and tears be damned! This cover is brilliant. The cover for Battle Picture Library 304 Road to Berlin is wonderfully dark, moody and desperate. Will that Churchill make it through to Berlin or will it be stopped?
This terrific cover just goes to show the variety and skill that Fleetway could call upon for artwork. This cover is the stuff of real 'graphic drama' and in my opinion too good to be used for the cover of a comic book.
For those who need to be informed, I know I was because I had to look it up on the world wide web, that hindmost is a proverbial phrase indicating that those who lag behind will receive no aid.
Look beyond the ratty cover and hard life this Battle Picture Library had to endure before coming into my possesssion. Road to Berlin deserves 10/10 and that's what'll get! 10/10.

Published on this day 17 August

2011-08-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

Air Ace Picture Library 525 Target Japan (17/08/1970)
Battle Picture Library 165 Desert Scourge (17/08/1964)

Quote of the Week

2011-08-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

"Achtung! An attack!" some nameless Tiger tank occupant who is about to be turned into toast in War Picture Library 131 Line of Fire

Published on this day 16 August 1965

2011-08-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Air Ace Picture Library 254 Dog-Fight!
Air Ace Picture Library 255 Spot-On Attack
Air Ace Picture Library 256 Torpedo Away!
Air Ace Picture Library 257 Bombers' Lair

Published on this day 15 August 1966

2011-08-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Battle Picture Library 261 Roll of Traitors
Battle Picture Library 262 Mission for Fools
Battle Picture Library 263 Desert Prize
Battle Picture Library 264 Spirit of Defiance

War Picture Library 111 The Red Duster

2011-08-14T03:06:00.000-07:00

Even though most of the ships in the The Red Duster manage to stay on top of the water it still remains a good story. The scrap metal tally is only two vessels for each side, the Germans lose a submarine and a battleship and allies lose only two merchantmen. However it is the mistrust between the services, exemplified by a couple of briny old sea dogs and their young proteges arising from the natural tension between the independence of the merchant marine and the spit, polish and discipline of the Royal Navy. The Germans and their relentless need to take over the world are only a convenient excuse to the keep the story moving along.

There are of course an anomaly or two that I have trouble getting to grips with.

The cover doesn't match the contents. I was expecting a bofors, at every turn of the page, slapping away at Stukas as the convoy runs the gauntlet. But there are no Stukas. In fact there are no aircraft to be seen – either flying or crashing into the sea. War Picture Library 111 The Red Duster is concerned with surface actions and proves (yet again) that the Germans lost World War 2 because their skill at arms was second rate. For example a fast moving British Cruiser can target and hit a U-boat with relevant ease – yet the equivalent German vessel, with all the time in the world, couldn't hit and destroy a lumbering freighter.

Yet again the bad guys prove to be hopeless and it makes you wonder why they started something they had no hope of finishing.

This is really a good story if you can get over the German Navy being as effective as the Imperial Navy in Star Wars at being able to hit a target.

In case you are wondering, like I was, the “Red Duster” is the name given to the red merchant marine flag.

Nice tattoo

Good detail to the harbour

Two old guys! You don't often see that.

Face to face.

They are sailors after all...

I have one of these maps with arrows on my wall at home.

A woman!

I really like this panel.

Another great drawing.

Listen to him. Don't say those things!

It's great being a bloke!

Take that you brute.

Giggle. Snort.

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 299 Long Odds

2011-08-11T04:09:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Week

2011-08-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

"No, you don't Fritz!" Private 'Curly' Briggs in War Picture Library 221 H-Hour.

War Picture Library 270 At Bayonet Point

2011-08-07T06:07:00.000-07:00

Take one ancient blade. Find it, lose it and then find it again somewhere in the desert. Throw in a bit of greed, a bit of ambition and a little bit of misunderstanding. Bring it all together in a world wide event happening locally and you have the essence of War Picture Library 270 At Bayonet Point.
It's good to see a bit of sword on shield action with the story opening occurring during the crusades. It is here where we meet the blade that when in the hands of Englishmen drives them insane with blood lust. It doesn't have the same effect on Arabs but they are happy to be rid of it when it turns up in their possession.
Just to make things interesting there's also a war on and when the blade ends up, as a bayonet, in Private Ritchie's possession he becomes a cold blooded reckless
killer. Ritchie becomes a virtual one man army intent on winning the war with cold steel. However when he learns that a potential promotion might be blocked his thoughts turns from killing the enemy to killing anyone who stands in his way.

Also to spice things up from time to time the ghost of the Crusader who fell under the spell of the blade when it was a sword at the begining of the story pops up from time to time. The ghost crusader feels bad about his legacy and he does what he can to try and protect Ritchie from being gunned down by the Germans.

I don't know why I have a soft spot for supernatural artifacts in pocket war comics when they turn up.

Yes I know it's all very stupid but I really like this story.

The old baleful influence that spans centuries! That would explain a lot of things.

If you think about how long it takes to swing your aggressive manner, as if you were holding a sword, would really have the time to say all of that?

I really like the worried look on the horses face.

You're just making that up to make me feel bad!

A change of style from crusading times.

Don't worry ugly dude. If it makes you feel better I think you and your friends are the most honest bunch of cutthroats I have ever met.

Shouldn't that be "Vorwaerts! Vipe out ze Englanders". Honestly! They speak perfect English one moment and the next moment you can't understand a word they're saying.

Nice tank.

He's talking about your teeth sand man.

Beefy, muscular Germans shooting off their big guns.

It's only a war. You'll get over it. I know you'd do the same for me...

Ya Otto you are right! We don't stand a chance. Here are the three of us, well hidden and with the element of surprise against only ein Englander. Should we surrender now or just get it over and done with and get ourselves killed?

It appears that tenacity is not enough against a pair of English knees.

AAGH! of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 76 Blast Bomb

2011-08-04T03:59:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week War Picture Library 131 Line of Fire

2011-08-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

The enemy bullets plough the field. It's very clear what's going on here! Do or die! on War Picture Library 131 Line of Fire. The Brits are making their way up that hill, they are being shelled, they are taking loses, their Captain is down but on they come!
There's a lot of good foreground detail going on. There are those blades of grass, the tear in the netting of the downed officer's helmet cover and have a look at that Sergeant's hand. But then there's a just a touch too much detail for my liking, the smoking Sten and the bullets (spandau no doubt) stitching up the turf. Also that the placement of that lovingly drawn Sergeant's hand looks like it's about to swat the Fire off the cover. However despite my prejudices this cover is a 8/10.

Quote of the Week

2011-08-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

"To heck with discipline, Brig. That's not the way we fight in this outfit. I relax with my men, and I fight right alonside 'em too!" Major Rudge, Fourth Battalion 216th Queensland Militia in War Picture Library 163 Hell's Heroes.

Cover of the Week War Picture Library 271 No Holds Barred

2011-07-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

There's a lot to like here. Straight away I get the feeling that there are two closely intertwined stories behind the cover that are about to be told.
There's that line of commandos finding their way and getting ready to strike. Also there are those waiting Germans - and best of all is the one holding that grenade. I can't quite figure out if he's spotted the commandos sneaking up on him and his comrades and if he's about to ambush them or be ambushed himself.
The title of War Picture Library 271 No Holds Barred with it's reference to an open fight adds to the significance of this issue.
Also the mixture of techniques used here show that this was done by a real master. Just look at how the white space, the deep etching, the colour and monochrome as well as the animation and posture of the figures all come together.
The drama just pours out of this cover.
10/10

Shameless Promotion

2011-07-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

Interesting contrast to the world of Pocket War Comics. You know I get the feeling that Americans were fighting another war. After all...a Fleetway man uses his courage as a shield...

Having said that it looks like a good movie.

Click image to enlarge

Via: Military VA Loan

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 209 Desert Duel

2011-07-28T03:53:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week War Picture Library 220 The Atlantic Wall

2011-07-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Here they come! Or whatever it is in German. Well according to babelfish.yahoo.com it should be Hier kommen sie!

Another great cover that is claustrophobic, desperate and dangerous. Having that desperate German shouting and looking right out of the picture and straight at the reader is just magic.

Another excellent use of title font matching the name of the comic and the situation it portrays Also the limited range of colours squeezed into the middle of the cover creates a deserved sense of excitement.

The cover of War Picture Library 220 The Atlantic Wall is promising a lot of frantic action. This is another one I've been wanting to read for a long time on the strength of the cover - I just love how expectations are made.

Easy to say. Easy to issue. 10/10.

Quote of the Week

2011-07-25T16:27:00.000-07:00

"It would be Sergeant Dale! He's one of the old sweats who do everything according to King's regulations - and he hates me like poison!" Lieutenant Jim Renner in War Picture Library 271 No Holds Barred.

War Picture Library 444 Blood on the Sand

2011-07-24T01:24:00.000-07:00

There's more than enough blood shed in War Picture Library 444 Blood on the Sand. It's bound to happen when you have a Long Range Desert Group tooling around the desert giving it to the bad guys. And the bad guys are really bad in this one - they have fat commanders, SS, torture and a bed reputation as the narrative backs up their nastiness up at every turn. When the LRDG are sneaking up on the enemy and blowing them up they're portrayal is courageous. When the Germans are doing the same thing they are grim, greedy and sinister. The Germans lack morality - they are prepared to use torture to get what they want.
I think there might be a historical anomaly with having SS in the desert - however I'm not a historian. The Long Range Desert Group on the other hand have plenty of pluck and big bushy beards tucked under their turbans as they race around the desert in their trucks.
Story wise there's plenty of crash, bash (but no tash!) and things that go boom in the night.
Earning trust is at the heart of the story. An experienced Long Range Desert Group have their beloved officer killed in an ambush. Before he succumbs to his mortal wounds he saves his faithful sergeant and then with his last gasp and provides the covering fire that allows his compatriots to escape. If this isn't a hard enough act to follow the his replacement is also the unluckiest man alive. Eventually he proves himself to his new men and wins their trust.
Even though there's plenty of blood on the sand in War Picture Library 444 but the romance (if that's the right word) of the LRDG is not captured. Maybe it's a case of one mission too many. Having a sense that the desert is a big place would have helped. The LRDG just zip from panel to panel - there's no sense of 'long range' in any of the story. Finally, a few beards on the front cover would have nudged everything in the right direction.

That UGH! looks odd with part of the J missing, however it looks like it belongs with the rest of his outfit.

Understand this. We're playing Risk this evening. Don't even think of winning because I'm going cheat.

Shouldn't that hand pointing at the map be smaller?

Look at the size of the turret on that thing!

Muttering...sniggering...grim...smug Nazis!

Why are you are you going to burn it then idiot?

Don't see graves too often in a Fleetway comic.

These bad guys are really really BAD.

Echoes of Von Ryan's Express.

That must be a hit below the belt!

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 336 Deed of Valour

2011-07-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week War Picture Library 221 H-Hour

2011-07-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is the moment! This is the hour we've been waiting for! This is H-Hour! This cover is just so wonderfully dramatic and full of purpose.

These Brits are well on their way to victory and it looks like their going to make it theirs.

There's a nice sense of urgency and perspective in the cover for War Picture Library 221 H-Hour.

However I can't help wondering why the 2 guys with the automatic weapons are holding back. Do they know something the guys in front of them don't? Or am I reading too much into a simple picture? I can't wait to read it to find out!

I find the title font irresistible and it matches the action in the image below it perfectly.

Even though there's space for a subheading I think not having one adds to the feeling of the whole thing.

Very easily a 10/10.

Quote of the Week

2011-07-19T04:44:00.000-07:00

"Meanwhile, the brave Yugoslavian partisans had carried the fight right to the enemy's defences. Faced at close quarters by these muscular, savage mouthed peasants, the dismayed Germans began to give ground." Air Ace Picture Library 284 Traitor Unmasked.

Battle Picture Library 99 Battle Royal

2011-07-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

There's this truck driver, see? But he's not really a truck driver, well he really is, he's really a king. Yeah! A real king. Except he doesn't have a kingdom - well he does, but it's not a patch of dirt or a castle - well there was one but that's under water now. It got flooded by the king to save his kingdom. Because a kingdom is about people and not crowns and things. That, boys and girls, is the story contained in Battle Picture Library 99 Battle Royal. And that's a Royal with cheese.

The king of the story is a truck driving private by the name of Hazard who is given the kingship, and a tumble down castle in the middle of a swamp (but without huge tracts of land) as a bequest from a dying Dutchman. Not because he was nice guy but because Hazard is made of the right stuff to lead men and fight.

There's much direct reference in this story that you can't be made of the right stuff if you're only a truck driver - after all you're not a fighting man are you? That reminds me, I understand that Benny Hill was a truck driver in Europe after the D-Day landings. However, unlike Hazard he didn't start shooting Germans or become royalty.

The story becomes interesting when Hazard, in full possession of his castle in the swamp, goes feral and starts shooting at British Commandos, who want to destroy his kingdom by opening some sluice gates in order to flood the formidable German defences. However Hazard reminds himself of the big picture and realises that if losing his kingdom also means drowning a lot of Germans then he should do it.

The really stupid part of the story involves the location of seat of the kingdom - a ruined castle on an island swarming with resistance fighters that the Germans somehow missed in their planning for the defence of the area.

However there is a darker side to this pocket war comic. The enemy is not usually shown being refused mercy and there also a fair few dead people to be seen lying around.
However despite the absurd story, Battle Picture Library 99 Battle Royal is a rolicking good read!

Shark Leader? These guys are full of it!

Sometimes you just have to fight back. Too bad about the Lieutenant and the Sarge.

What a great expression on that officer's face.

Squareheads! Why do they get in the way?

The double AAGH! Now there's a first.

No mercy!

...and you'll never guess that's where our secret base is located!

Nice gun!

Just like in Portahouse Blue.

Thank you captain obvious.

Sometimes the bad guys have a win.

Rare to see dead good guys.

That oufit is a bit tight Hazard.

You'd be saying more than himmel!

Is that a grenade in your pocket or are you happy to see me?

Cover of the Week. Battle Picture Library 99 Battle Royal

2011-07-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

There's something just not right with the cover for Battle Picture Library 99 Battle Royal.
Shouldn't he be running at the tank? I know that's a counter intuitive act for a human being - but I'm not used to seeing my cover heroes running away.
However I suppose his truck is on fire. And there's only of him. And that tank looks positively invincible. Those dark figures don't look too friendly either. But still, running away?
Also, surely there had be another title font to choose from. This one is really just plain ugly.
The splash cut out sort of helps and then it sort of doesn't. It's sort of limp.
The background is doing all the work for this cover. That's where all the menace is sitting.The most I can award Battle Royal's cover is 5/10.
Agreed?

Quote of the Week

2011-07-06T01:48:00.001-07:00

'Aha, it is we who spring the surprise' German Major Steinhardt in Air Ace Picture Library 284 Traitor Unmasked.

War Picture Library 135 The Big Arena

2011-07-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Shirts off and Australians. Why do the two always go together? Without fail Australian war picture comic troops are always keen to throw off their kit and show off their chests. The other typical traits of Australians in these stories are their disregard for authority and their fearless fighting ability and spirit.
War Picture Library 135 The Big Arena follows a pair of battle hardened and battle weary Aussie blokes who decide they need a rest from fighting and decide to go absent without leave. Even the officers understand and allow them to skip off for a short break. However the spit and polish by the book just out from Australia provost sergeant major doesn't understand how things really work in the shooting war and he is determined to bring the two battle weary malingerers into line even if has to cross enemy lines if has to do it.
Naturally, through a series of adventures, the sergeant comes to fully understand the two heroes and it is only a matter of time before he brought under the spell of the bromance. Finally he learns how things work in a shooting army.
Australians in pocket war comics never fail to impress. They're always smiling, always shooting and willing to give it a go. They also tend to be larger than mortal men and this is certainly true in The Big Arena where two of the main characters are easily breaking 6'6'' if not bigger.
This a big story of men from a big country in another big country during a big war.

You're about to eat my cold steal you accursed Australier! And don't laugh at my skinny legs.

When most Spandau teams go out of business they usually have a sale first.

Ginger Meggs grows up and goes to war.

This is a great plan. I can see how this is going to work.

This tank crew looks like the right age for tank crew - a bunch of young punks.

You know you're a part of the Commonwealth because everybody has got different hats.

You don't see a lot of blokes from India in these things - but it's good to see two of them relaxing.

This sergeant is big enough to play lock for the Wallabies.

Passes? Passes? We don't need no stinkin' passes.

Oh the desperation.

Good degree of concern, dread and anticipation in this panel.

Australians will always create an opportunity to take off their shirts.

You think? I thought it was a lost tribe of Mongolians on their final stretch home. Boy did I get that one wrong.

The desert is a big place.

When things go bad...

...they go really bad.

Under the Southern Cross I stand. A sprig of wattle in my hand. 'Stralya! You Bloody Beauty!

Quote of the Week

2011-06-29T23:30:00.001-07:00

'Two Germans come here. They ask if we have information about Tommies. We say no. One call us dirty liars. I kill him - other escapes. Now we much afraid. Maybe more Germans not far off.' A scared-looking Arab. War Picture Library 270 At Bayonet Point.

Cover of the Week. War at Sea 16 Destroyer

2011-06-29T05:11:00.000-07:00

Sea dogs are tough. I guess they have to be because there's no where to run or hide on a boat. Surrounded by dead and dying comrades the gun crew of the destroyer stick to their grim task - what choice do they have?
There's more than enough information here to tell me what I should expect when I start reading the story behind the cover.
If you can see through the hard life my issue has been through - this would have been a prized issue in some young lads hands.
For me the detail in the folds in all the sailors clothes, the bomb just falling away from the Stuka and the pitch of the deck just keep me wanting to look this picture over and over again.
This is one occasion where I would like to have a good copy of this issue.
I'm surprised that the publishers didn't feel compelled to add an exclamation mark to the title.
However there is a lack of composition and animation to Destroyer. Also the quad mounted gun isn't very convincing. I want to give Destroyer a better score but I just can't give it more than 7/10. Is that being too harsh?

Air Ace Picture Library - Original Covers at Cloud 109

2011-06-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile... over at Cloud 109 there are some great scans of original Air Ace Picture Library Covers.

Seeing this artwork without their titles takes a bit of adjusting. Also Cloud 109 provides a brief history of the artists who created these works of art.

Cover of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 235 Bomber's Vengeance

2011-06-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

This deserves 10/10!

Why does this cover just scream 1960s? Combination of colour palette and type face?
The sub head does lifts the story and adds the necessary narrative - without it would look like just another lucky shot from British bomber over the skys of Germany. The very title itself if giving away the idea that the bombers must have suffered in the past and now they're getting their own back - oh sweet vengeance!
Everything in this cover just works perfectly.
Straight up 10/10.

Quote of the Week.

2011-06-22T03:13:00.000-07:00

"Out of my way Squareheads!" Private Hazard (soon to be King Hazard) truck driver R.A.S.C. in Battle Picture Library 99 Battle Royal.

Cover of the Week. Battle Picture Library 317 Gilroy Was Here!

2011-06-15T04:28:00.000-07:00

Somethings going wrong. The sergeant appears none too pleased that that Tommy behind has managed to blow himself off and that the other trooper seems somewhat disinterested. Oh I get it...they're pulling mines up! It's just that some are better at it than others. Despite the intent I don't think this cover delivers. However who can say? Battle Picture Library 317 Gilroy Was Here might be an absolute cracker of a story.
The more I look at Battle Picture Libraries I form the opinion that Fleetway were trying to create a publication with more of an 'edge' to compete against Commando.
For those not familiar with it the pen marks on the front are GST 55. In other words the price including the Goods and Services Tax (of 10%) is 55 cents. When the GST was introduced in Australia a number of second hand book dealers and thrift store owners believed they had to label everything with a boldly placed GST price label or suffer the wrath of the federal government. The marks of that misplaced paranoia live on to this very day.
If this cover was in a perfect state I would have given it a score of 5/10 - however as it looks like it has stood on a mine to end up up in my collection it deserves 6/10.

Quote of the Week

2011-06-14T17:09:00.001-07:00

'Die you accursed Australier!' Unnamed German soldier in North Africa whose next words are 'Ugh!' War Picture Library 133 The Big Arena.

War Picture Library Advertising

2011-06-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

If I've understood this correctly all I have to do to receive one of these great gifts is to address a letter (I assume) to the Bridgnorth Stamp Co, C/- (M), Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
I will then receive in return one offer (from the six listed options) absolutely free.
I've told my mum and dad.
I've enclosed a 3d stamp for the return postage.
I'm even going to cough up some extra from my hard earned lolly for some extra items.
I have an envelope.
And a pen.
I'm very excited.
I'm really looking forward to those 9 triangular stamps and making sure that those 133 all different stamps are indeed all different. However should I request a stamp album or the 10 Olympic and sports stamps? Decisions decisions.
This stamp advertisement is on the back cover of War Picture Library 136 Last Ditch, published 1962.
In any event Bridgnorth looks like a nice place to visit.

Air Ace Picture Library 470 Double Image

2011-06-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Spanning both world wars, Double Image is the classic pocket war comic story of parental disgrace reaching across generations. John Carter is wrongly accused (and very wrongly accused I must add) of being a coward. As he is dead at the time of the accusation he is denied the opportunity to defend himself. He is dead as a result of attacking a Zeppelin during a raid over England. The direct cause of his death is from a pistol flung at him and hitting him in the head. Usually pistols are used to fire bullets - but in this instance the pistol was thrown as the weapon of last choice - as all other options failed in dissuading John Carter in pressing home his attack. The flung gun becomes the very obvious link to later in the story.

Anyway Carter's accuser survives the mission, destroys the Zeppelin (or so he thinks) and ends up commanding a squadron in WW2 where, you guessed it, the son of John Carter turns up.

Look we all know where this Air Ace Picture Library story is going. As stupid as it sounds this one actually works out OK. There are several reasons why Double Image escapes from being just plain horrible. To start with your expectations aren't set very high from the beginning. Next, more than a third of the action is set during the First World War. Also, and perhaps most importantly, it's all in the artwork. Look at the panel below with the officer calling in the Zeppelin raid or the one with the spitfire pilots scrambling to their aircraft. These panels are beautifully drawn and it is their animation, detail and style that get this story off the ground.

You can see why he is an admiral.

You keep your hands on your own butt. By the way good work on the facial hair, Herr Oberleutnant.

The only way to provide advance warning - with a nice mug of tea and a cucumber sandwich.

I really like this panel. Must be the flying goggles and the scarf.

Let's put things in context here. Von Zarnoff is standing a Zeppelin...

Sticks and stones may break my bones...oh and guns thrown at my head.

That's not a nice thing to say.

Here we go! Here we go! Here we go!

Besides being a great panel...makes you think why didn't he begin a career as a brick layer so he wouldn't have to put up with the cross generational embarrassment?

Another day at the office.

Zum timz zey speak English, ozzer timz zey zro in foreign verds.

So that explains everything...

Cover of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 248 The Missing Bombers

2011-06-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Where are my 3D glasses? Now there's a cover worth viewing. A missing flight of Wellingtons weaving their way through a canyon fighting back against an unseen enemy. A very Star Wars esque image if there ever was one.

Now somewhere out there will be many issues of Air Ace Picture Library 248 The Missing Bombers in perfect registration - however my issue is not one of those.
Despite the overall image being a bit hard to swallow the finish of the lead Wellington is sight to behold. I just love green engine cowlings and the red propeller bosses - no doubt whoever is on the receiving end of those twin brownings is feeling considerably worse for the attention.
The fuzzy text in the middle reads 'They were thought to have been lost in action-but they were on a secret mission'.
Another good looking cover for a pocket war comic - but it doesn't have the punch of others. Easily 7/10. Do you agree - what would you give score give this cover? By all means ignore the 3D effect of my issue.

War Picture Library 136 Last Ditch

2011-06-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

Last Ditch just hits all the wrong buttons. It means well but just doesn't translate well once it's made the long hard transition from 1962 to 2011. Let's start with the bad guys - not only are they hopeless, stupid, arrogant and lousy shots they also happen to be foreigners with either limited or poor English language skills.

The four good guys have a better time of it. One is a hopeless drunk. You know he's on the highway to redemption - so that means he wont be walking off page 64 at the end. His nemesis is the conservative unimaginative captain who has every opportunity to change his way of thinking and finally does so. There's the young go getter, who realises that in order to make things happen he has to go against authority, as embodied by his captain. Finally there's the sergeant who is good at hitting his Japanese opponents with the heavy end of his rifle/Bren gun/hand.

In Last Ditch the British escape, not surprisingly, from the clutches of the Japanese through a series of lucky scrapes in an old river boat. The interior of the river boat takes on Tardis like proportions anytime the Englishman find themselves below deck.

Despite these flaws it does have some clever charm in the blinding conservatism of Captain Winchester. Even though it hinders him from accepting that the Japanese have the capability to wage war on equal footing with Commonwealth troops it also allows him to 'do what's best' for the drunk and throw all the booze overboard.

Also I find the cover mesmerising. Perhaps it's that early 60s paint palette? In particular have a look at the light shine on that helmet - just perfect!

So there you have it, War Picture Library 136 Last Ditch - plenty of flaws, predictable ending, outrageously racist with plentiful gratuitous action. Some would say almost the perfect pocket war comic!

Could you stop them?

The officers' mess looks like the place to be.

I bet you desert head has been waiting his entire military career to say that.

Even the good guys get blown up every now and again. Aaagh! indeed!!

What the odds the Japanese, despite outnumbering the British about 5 to 1 and having the element of total surprise, lose this one?

The Japanese Sam I Am buys one.

No let him stay...we could use a fit dripping wet native boy for something around here.

A Japanese anything with no bottom in it isn't going to be any good to anybody.

There's a lot of unusual things going on on page 34 of Last Ditch. First the head only drawing of Chindwin Charlie delivering his confession. Second not only is the Sergeant's arm casually draped outside the panel, his burly elbow reaches into the panel below.

I'd have more credibility if I didn't look like a nonce.

We're better off without that demon booze.

Cover of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 67 Silent Wings

2011-05-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

This is good looking cover! Just look at how the title and image come together perfectly to create an introduction for the action inside.
Everything about the cover, from the way the troops are rushing out of glider 316 to the way the lead figure is standing in the forefront with his Sten gun, just spell drama and action! The expression and stance of the man with the Sten are particularly well animated and provide every indication that challenges lie ahead. 'The hell of Arhem...' described by the slightly ill-worded splash cut out in the bottom left hand corner goes to highlight the drama that's sure to unfold in this Air Ace Picture Library.
Silent Wings has come to me with only has a slight bit of damage - the long lost previous owner applying a thin strip of sticky tape that was then coloured in with black pen.
This is not a bad thing.
I've never been one for collecting only pristine pocket war comics. My collection includes a number of comics that have led just as hard a life as some of the characters contained with them.
I'm yet to review Silent Wings but already the cover, with it's wonderful sense of urgency has my mind racing on what's going to happen on the pages that follow.
This cover deserves a high score. Easily 9/10!
Please leave a comment if you agree or disagree with my score.

War Picture Library 83 McMain's Marauders

2011-05-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

A funny sort of a story where long and proud clan traditions meet insensitive Canadians meet smug Germans meet vain counter clan claims and all this with not an Englishman to be seen. This is one of those somebody doesn't want to fit in where he's wanted kind of stories. That's the insensitive Canadian sent to command McMain's Marauders who have lost their commanding officer and clan chief in the heat of battle. Despite being a McMain himself the Canadian doesn't understand the importance of also being a clan chief. The smug Germans only have themselves to blame for their own ultimate predicament. But they do provide the Canuck McMain with the necessary environment to realise his Scottish heritage. The vain counter clan claim comes from the ancient enemies of the McMains - the McKaigs who are embodied by Brigadier McKaig who is determined to destroy/dismantle the McMains.

In what appears to be a deliberate attempt to spite this terrible story line the artist employed to look after McMain's Marauders has done an excellent job. As this story is partly set at the beginning of the war we even get a glimpse of the French.

For some reason I always thought the earlier pocket war comic stories would be better. McMain's Marauders proves that to be a completely hopeless assumption. But if you like seeing the occasional swirl of a kilt and real men's knees - this is the story for you.

Yeah - that's this time. Does that mean that last time things were different.

An ancient AAARGH!

Ooh...I'd follow him.

The McKaigs must be bad guys - they have black hats.

Two things here...it must be the olden times I can tell by the scrolls. Also is the first time for dancing in a pocket war comic?

Smug Germans!

Frenchies!

Smoke that durry mate.

Ooh that big gruff Sergeant...

Great panel!

Bagpipes

"...go to blazes tilt on his head" must be very different to plain old jaunty.

You see...smoking makes you look cool.

War at Sea Picture Library 19 Close Quarters

2011-05-05T05:34:00.000-07:00

The Germans speak in Close Quarters. You get to hear the bad guys. You get see a Hudson flying around. You get to see some serious remorse. What's not to like?
A green coastal defence pilot has some big ideas on how to sink Nazi submarines at night. However being the new Johnny he is quickly pulled into line by his CO. But being young and having big ideas entices our hero to try his "trick". He is promptly rewarded for his display of bravado by being shot down and having most of his crew killed. He is then rescued by the very same virulent convoy sinking U-Boat that he was trying to destroy.
This is a pretty interesting pocket war comic.
The senior British command are shown as staid, conservative, lacking in imagination and ready to quash any display of initiative. The Germans are shown as resourceful. However when the young British pilot at the centre of the story makes the opportunity and produces some results it is at a heavy price. Usually redemption features heavily in these stories but in Close Quarters it is replaced by remorse.
Also the Germans aren't shown as out-and-out bad guys. They're just doing their best trying to get the most bang per buck and get away alive. However in true bad guy style the Captain of the U-Boat just has to go and sow the seeds of his own destruction. When he meets and greets his newly captured prisoners he gives them "the secret". Even though the U-Boat captain is far more likable than the senior RAF stiffs he still is a bad guy after all and has to pay the ultimate price. This is a great comic. If you can find it, keep it.

Close Quarters jumps straight into the action.

Why all the shouting?

The Royal Navy - where irony is met with sarcasim.

...also you're not really air crew until you grow a tash.

A bad end to the day.

What a shift from the comical representation of this character from beginning of the story.

After the war of course I will set up a secret organisation...

Pretty grim business this war.

A Sunderland. Magnificent.

How else could you explain it?

Could this be the best final panel ever?

Air Ace Picture Library 298 Superfort Strike

2011-04-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

The retrospectoscope of political correctness is not kind to Superfort Strike. This is the type of pocket was comic that detractors love to cite and nostalgia romantics choose to ignore.
I know the Japanese are the bad guys in these things but when the 'narrator' of the story portrays the enemy in an outwardly racist manner it's time to take a time out. There's also a strange cultural cringe happening in this story as well. Even though this is clearly a story about Americans in American planes over the Pacific - the Fleetway editors no doubt felt the need to reassure their readers that Americans are really like the British and that the British also had a role to play in the Pacific.
Superfort Strike reads like a story that didn't have these elements to start off with and it feels like an over enthusiastic and clumsy editor got to the story and had to insert these facts just in case a story only about Americans would confuse a young reader.
There's some great detail in the drawings, however I can't help but feeling that the artist preferred drawing objects instead of people.
The story is quite good - even though our modern sensibilities are distracted by the talk of 'yellow hoards' and 'yeoman stock from Kentucky'. Lieutenant Slim Allister is pilot who doesn't understand the full gravity of the war and he is given a harsh reality check when he is forced to lie, on orders, to his crew about the true intent of their missions. He suffers unspeakable anguish as he watches the trust of his men melt away. Needles to say that of course everything works out in the end.
There's much good in Superfort Strike - it's just sad that the distractions have not stood the test of time.

It's not good when the narration is hopelessly racist.

A floppy fringe means you're a good guy.

Americans are just really British with funny accents.

Better than the cover art.

Nice frame.

Oh dear - what a mess.

Kuh! Kuh? Almost sounds like an unfinished word.

Those Asian minds! What will they think of next?

What has he got to be upset over? He's getting what he wants, isn't he?

That's gotta hurt.

It's not good when the narration is racist.

The British did their part! And don't you forget it!

All sounds a bit familiar...

A bit uncalled for...

Love the detail in this frame.

Not the bloodiest - maybe perhaps the 4th or even the 5th bloodiest - but no sir-ree Bob was it the bloodiest.

Ha ha ha...Now we can all get some sleep.

War at Sea Picture Library 1 Devil's Cargo

2011-04-22T21:00:00.001-07:00

It's what doesn't happen in Devil's Cargo that makes this a terrific story. The SS Westland is a creaking old tanker worthy for the scrap heap - however the urgencies of war means she is needed. The same can be said for her crew.
Once the characters are established the action follows very closely. It is in the action sequences where Devil's Cargo excels and it's what doesn't happen that makes this pocket war comic shine.
On the way to joining a convoy the Westland gets attacked by a seaplane that strafes and bombs the ship. The seaplane is shot at but it gets away! Once in convoy surface raider cruiser appears and attacks. The convoy's sole escort, an aged destroyer, sacrifices itself allowing the convoy to save itself by dispersing. The destroyer pays the ultimate price and the other ships and the Westland escape albeit a bit worse for wear. Oh by the way the surface raider isn't sunk! As the damaged Westland limps it's way towards it's destination it is attacked by a surfaced U-Boat. To the credit of the Westland's crew they manage to land a hit on the submarine disabling it's deck gun - but not before they take a beating. What? The U-Boat isn't sunk? That plane should have been shot down! That cruiser should have been sunk! The surfaced U-Boat is not rammed? I don't understand!
This is quite a tight little story.
Even though the guy with the floppy fringe does a bang up job of showing leadership he doesn't turn out to be the hero. In a nice twist that honour goes to the shifty looking down and out spiv. This is another one of those interesting stories where you really don't get to see the bad guys. This is one of those stories that has it all - great story, great action and great pictures.

There's a lot of ink in Devil's Cargo. It is an absolute pleasure.

Looks like a great place to have holiday. Why would you want to go somewhere where people are shooting at you?

Quite a contemporary look you've got going there Bert.

Love that all that shading in this story.

He don't look half shifty don't he?

This is a great panel!!

The sea is a dark and mysterious place.

Ah! That's why he voluntered!! Who would have known?

A well placed AAAGH! from the Hun in the barge as well as an almost unheard of "look out!" from one of his comrades.

It should have been the guy with the floppy fringe up there.

Air Ace Picture Library 349 Duel Over Malta

2011-04-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

Why does Battler Britton brings out the best and worst in pocket war comics?

First the best. Duel Over Malta is really well drawn. This is one of those stories where the sky is full of aircraft. There are Stukas, Hamdens, Blenheims, Spitfires, Junker 88s, Me 109s, Beaufighters, Macchi 202s and Junkers 52 Trimotors. With all those aircraft there's plenty of action. Even the storyline itself is reasonable. Set during the siege of Malta the scene is set for Battler to blast some Jerries out of the sky. Battler and his squadron are assigned to fly in badly needed Spitfires and pilots to defend the embattled island. From the moment they take off from the pitching aircraft carrier to the landing on the bomb crater pocketed airfield Battler is in the thick of it. The moment he lands his aircraft it is immediately seconded by the local fighter hero, Squadron Leader Naylor, who uses the Spitfire for its designed purpose.

A cooperative and friendly rivalry develops between Naylor and Britton as they maintain the good fight against almost overwhelming odds.

So what's the worst? Battler has to go on and do something that's impossible. To most this might appear to be his most enduring quality - but not only does he bend and stretch the very laws of physics his actions in are somewhat gratuitous to the plot, robbing an otherwise good story of some extra panels and pages.

There's a point in this story where everything seems to be going OK and then Battler has to pull the "Hang on - while I save the war moment". Again an endearing quality to some but not to me.

Another game of Risk in progress. While the man at the desk is clearly a German and the two guys before him are tram conductors - why does the guy in the background look British?

Rarely mentioned or pictured in pocket war comics he is a unique appearance of these two famous degenerates.

Now that does sound like trouble!

Battler looks a lot like Mr Bean.

Excellent! By that rate we should all be dead in a week and half.

Now that's an understatement.

Good mini Aagh! from the Ace of Spades.

What is wrong with these people? They manage to speak English most of the other times.

Air Ace Picture Library 267 Fatal Flight

2011-04-06T20:10:00.000-07:00

This is a big story, with big planes, big action, big talk, big egos, big mistakes and a big apology. It also follows with all that "big" flying around that this story must include Americans. Of course Americans can only appear in a pocket war story if they appear under the steadying hand of a Brit.

The story is pretty straight forward - a perfectionist and expert British night fighter pilot is transferred to train a squadron of scruffy yet enthusiastic Americans in night fighting techniques. And of course the two sides even though they are on the same side don't get on from the very beginning.

There's is a bit of depth to the writing as the Brit even does something impulsive which leads to a disaster - which in turn leads to his American crew hating him even more - which of course gives the author the platform to launch the redemption and team building sequence to finalise the story.

Even though it is a good story it can't get away from the usual use of stereotypes. This time it's the Americans' turn as they are portrayed as being scruffy multicultural, poker playing, life and death betting and egalitarian. However in a total avoidance of stereotyping we never get to see the face of the enemy.

This is also a landmark story as it is the 1st British war picture library that I've come across that mentions German atrocities in Europe.

Finally any story that features a Northrop Black Widow is going to good by default.

Dornier go bang!

A poker game. They must be Americans.

That sounds like a great job to have in a bar.

Atrocities! Surely not in war comics!!

A flock of Black Widows.

"...such gallantry." No wonder they think he's a nonce.

A man sized plane!

Peggy about to go boom too.

Double Dynamite is about to get into a whole lot of trouble.

A full pager.

And another full pager!

I believe that is meant to be a compliment.

Yet another full pager. This is a big story!

Air Ace Picture Library 308 Ghost Ship

2011-04-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

Battler Britton!! What impossibilities will he accomplish this time? Am the only person on the planet (or war comic blogosphere) who doesn't like him? Ghost Ship is really only saved by it's beautiful artwork and style - otherwise it's just rubbish.
It may be that times have moved on. Making fun of Irishmen as well as indigenous peoples because they speak English differently just isn't funny anymore. If it still is then this pocket war library is a riot. Surely not all people living on pacific islands want to eat white people - just as not all Irishmen are lovable rouges. Looking through the politically correct goggles at 40 plus years amplification some things just don't stand up too well. However when Battler is put under the same examination is he doesn't scrub up to well either. Is he meant to be a pompous prat or is he justifiably ignorant?
However the only thing in his favour is that he's not afraid to fly whatever aircraft is needed to get on with the show and he does so without complaint.
Ghost Ship sees Battler and his crew cruising the Pacific looking for the Ghost Ship, of the title, in a beautifully drawn Hampden.
If you were only looking at the artwork this is a quality production, however once you take notice of the storyline things take a bad turn. The storyline goes something like this...A Japanese cruiser is making a real pest of itself by sinking ships and blowing things up and then disappearing by using an array of smoke and mist dispensers.
So far so good.
Somewhere along in the story Battler and his Irish rear gunner meet an Irish beachcomber and his band of native followers. One of whom is called a leprechaun because he looks like one and can predict the future with some certainty...is there really an need to go on?

A swooping Hamden. However what is a Spalpeen?

Look at all that wide open sky.

Boy that was lucky!

That arrow deserves a large "Thonk" written next to announce it's arrival.

In another life they would be Ewoks.

Mr Flipping Foot! I LOL on this one!

This is really a great picture.

Who talks like this?

Battler knows what a cruiser blowing looks like. He won't be fooled.

Aussie Hurricanes.

Just a bit too comical.

I don't understand either.

War Picture Library Advertising - Muscles Made Easy!

2011-03-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

When Charles Atlas stayed in England he like nothing better than to bunk down with his chums of Department 250-S at their very salubrious London address in Chitty Street. Sadly there doesn't seem to be a lot going on there today.

As the master of Dynamic Tension he helped a generation of pastey white kids grow into muscle bound and tanned demi-gods ready to take a firm grip on their own wrists and the rest of the world.

Just think in only 32 pages and 7 days you too could have a "strong, healthy body crammed with live, rippling handsome muscles".

It's good to see the good work started by Charles Atlas all those years ago still goes on today.

This advertisement is from the back outside cover of War Picture Library 99 Spearhead, published in May 1961.

War Picture Library 99 Spearhead

2011-03-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

Is a slight misunderstanding enough to condemn your fighting brothers? Well according to Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Dawson it is more than enough. Dawson only has contempt for Americans after he misinterprets a comment from a large chinned American glider pilot.

Spearhead is a very well drawn, composed and animated story. Even though it's basically a shoot 'em up, bash with tash and dash affair the artwork is fantastic with great use of shadow and silhouette.

There's action in the air and on the beaches as glider airborne troops land in the sea and take direct fire from the enemy during the invasion of Sicily. A page or two then serve as a small respite to set the scene and reinforce Dawson's dislike of American pilots. He then only has his opinion confirmed by the introduction of American Airforce (and former bush pilot) Colonel Butch Gordon who is a loud mouthed, cigar chomping, sartorially challenged American pilot. Now with the scene set for some inter-allied animosity there's plenty of action. There's parachuting into Japanese held Burmese jungle to secure a clearing and build an airfield so more troops can arrive to win the war. So there's lots of opportunity for shooting, counter attacks, things to look grim and an arrggghh and aahhh or two. The story ends with the inevitable reconciliation between should be friends.

No one is trying to get through a deep message or sneak through an agenda on the human condition in this story. This is purely what a pocket war comic should be - lots of action and a real page turner.

Big chinned Americans

Big panted Germans

That's one ugly German

Oh no! It looks like Cutter's bought it!

Smug Germans! Also lesson 23 for Bad Guys. Don't get call each other by your first names while you enjoy your work. It will only lead to a Mills 36 coming your way.

That's right Karl - that's a Mills 36 coming your way.

Now! That's how you make an entrance!

That's how you wear a government issued suit - with crumpled style.

Itagaki is clearly an idiot.

Limb of Satan! I learn a new cuss everyday.

Check out Mr Muscles on the dozer.

What is wrong with that guy's hat?

Americans are very good at scooting around on their Jeeps and shooting up counter attacks.

Lessons for Bad Guys number 66. Don't forget when accepting the position of a sniper the golden rule is "hit and not be hit".

What a great tank picture. Can anybody help me out with what sort of tank it is?

War Picture Library Advertising - Super Libraries Promotion

2011-03-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

XWKCRZP43X65 That's it pals (chums, mates, chaps and buddies, if that were translated into 'now' speak I guess that would at least become bros and besties) have a look at the new wonder value super libraries.

There are some great looking titles in there - however one does scare me a little and that's The Animator -featuring the Fleetway superhero The Spider. Just have a closer look at the picture on the left an you'll see what I mean.

He's the kind of guy that like to wear tights, ankle length red boots and what appears to be some kind of dual mounted dispensers worn openly on his chest. Whatever happened to him?

Well he lives on and is published in Tamil - no less!

This promotional advertisement comes from the inside front cover of War Picture Library 391 Old Warrior.

War Picture Library 391 Old Warrior

2011-03-20T04:22:00.000-07:00

A dickey ticker, a bad attitude and a big chin - are they enough to win the war? You bet they are!

Jack Frobisher finds it difficult to live up to his illustrious career when at the commencement of hostilities in WW2 he is considered too unfit - due to that dickey ticker - for active duty. Too proud to accept a desk job the former Commodore is set to spend the rest of his days brooding. The call for small craft to evacuate the troops from Dunkirk gives Frobisher the chance to get back into the action.

However despite affecting a rescue Frobisher's heart gives out jeopardising the life of his recently acquired survivors. Redemption can come in many forms and for Frobisher cold and alone, falling in and out of consciousness, floating around in the dark - his comes in the form of a badly mauled motor launch bereft of leadership - until he takes over.

All, however, is not plain sailing from here. The troops on the motor launch are not keen to go on with the mission- but under Frobisher's encouragement they continue - however when his heart gives out for a second time in 24 hours he realises he cannot go on and the story passes seamlessly over to Roy Collis, the junior and only remaining officer, to complete the mission.

This is a very elegantly written story that is well supported by some great artwork. Some of the panels and situations are near cinematic in scope. The story telling is quite sophisticated - each panel is there for a reason and there's no need for any gratuitous action.

A great story! And if you like blokes with big chins this is the story for you.

What a great line about being a volunteer does not immune you from anxiety.

Sailors on the assault!

Speech balloons over panels. Also a great drawing of a WW1 cruiser.

Nice touch with that grass chewing German in the foreground.

Eat dirt!

Heinkel in the dark. Superb!

Oh no! Not the captain.

That chin alone will win the war.

What a fantastic drawing.

Nothing to lose!

Donner und Aagh! Didn't even get the chance to mutter Blitzen.

Just doing his job I guess.

You idiot!

Look at the size of the chins on those two!

Battle Picture Library Advertising - Stamps

2011-03-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why 116 stamps in return and not 115? Needless to say I'm yet to collect a Battle, War or Air Ace Picture Library with the coupon to Broadway Approvals carefully removed from the back cover. Someone must have done it! If you're out there please get in contact.

This advertisement is from the back cover of Battle Picture Library 122 Hold Until Relieved.

For those interested in this kind of thing, here's a link to 50 Denmark Hill now on Google Map. Do you think the guy holding the Subway sign is really the front man for a vast underground stamp trading empire still operating from behind those iron garage door grills?

What would happen if you went up to this man and asked for Lot P25? What would happen if you went up to him and asked him for Lot P26?

So many questions.

Battle Picture Library 122 Hold Until Relieved

2011-03-08T21:15:00.000-08:00

At first I thought I had pulled a dud one from my collection for reviewing - but by page six I was hooked and loving the gritty inky artwork, style and and story.

The story centres around a sergeant on trial for abandoning his post and the efforts of his men to clear his name. There's a lot of ruin and destruction in this story and vehicles are rare - I think there may be just one in there somewhere. Besides being good at pouring ink onto the page the artist also uses the handy trick of drawing officers' uniforms intentionally large. Which for some reason makes the commissioned classes appear untrustworthy. I don't understand the psychology behind it but it works. I particularly liked the panels set around the ruined old mill wheel house - it's ugly stuff for an at times ugly story.

As mentioned before I thought I had picked up a dud as at first I didn't like the drawing style - but the further I got into the story the deeper the ink got into my veins. As always in reading a pocket war comic my mind races forward with expectations of "how is this going to end". Will it run true the stereotypical formula war comic ending or will something else happen? Thankfully Hold Until Relieved manages to end close off on a less than usual note.

Still it has all the elements that make up a formula story- the squad loyal to the sergeant, the one dissenter who hates him, the voice-of-reason-corporal who reminds one and all "he's saved your skin a number of times" and of course the stupid replacement officer who doesn't listen to the sergeant.

I get the feeling that someone who may have been in or near a battle or had access to someone who had may have written Hold Until Relieved.

So for a war comic that doesn't have any tanks or planes in it - this is very good. Hold Until Relieved is gritty and dirty and only a little bit cheesy. The best part about this Battle Picture Library story is the way the ink has been poured into each page and panel.

I was hooked by the time I got to page 6.

I just the love the dirty, gritty, inky style

Inky as bro.

Now there's a better than average cheesy line "...Irish abuse...in the company of a mills grenade!"

Wow! A Donner und Ugh! and an AAGH!

Not a bad decision just bitter.

Excellent final panel.

Shooting Nazis! - Can only be a good...

2011-03-05T03:42:00.000-08:00

It's looking good. I'll be on the look out for the AAAGH! count!!

Flying Fortress Studios have just annouced that they are launching their Preview Issue and that it ships March 25.

I don't know too much about the story but good to see that the genre goes on...

Not a lot of room in there.

A sneak peak at behind the scenes.

War Picture Library 58 Up the Marines!

2011-02-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

Up the Marines! is simply dreadful from the very beginning. Just what is going on with that cover? The self-vandalising enemy are rightfully cowering as they are being consumed by what looks like a creature from Cuthulu. The story can only get worse from here - and it does.

Sergeant Swift and Corporal Younger are on a commando canoe raid to disable harbour bouy lights, making a vital German convoy to run aground. In the course of the action Younger gets himself killed and of course Swift blames himself. Swift returns and is awarded a medal for the action. Younger's younger brother is present at the investiture to accept the award. Have a wild guess at what happens next.

The younger Younger idolises Swift from the stories told to him by the older Younger. Swift enlists and manages to get posted to the elite commando unit with Swift. Understandably Swift is keen not to have another Younger (older or younger) killed by his side and accordingly tries to minimise risk taking on missions. Younger Younger is of course distressed and embarassed that he's not seeing enough action and he tries to leave the unit.

Of course it all works out in the end when the two are involved in an assualt on a pillbox.

To be kind if you like things being blown up and people shot up then this story would be just OK. There are glimpses of the artist of trying to make something at least visually interesting - the pipe smoking German Oberleutnant, the sailor's cap ribbons fluttering in the breeze - but it's not enough to save this story.

I really have to dig deep to find to say anything nice about this one.

The cap ribbons fluttering away are a nice touch.

See children...you didn't come up with WTF.

Oberleutnant stop hogging the pipe.

One of the few highlights in the story.

This man is an idiot. How did he ever get to command a ship?

What an odd shaped scone you have sergeant.

I wish my posture was like that.

Good at drawing things being blown up and destroyed. Good at drawing a hail of bullets - but drawing an office appears to be a bit of a challenge.

Zombies!

Oh the shame...

This is that crazed look you get when you're in the shadow of death and assualting a pillbox while wearing a tie.