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The Spitfire in the foreground looks like Disney's version of Tigger. Surely just a coincidence. If, however, the Disney Corporation doesn't deem it to be a random event there could be danger ahead. The consequences are too frightening to contemplate, but let's attempt the unthinkable anyway.
If Spitfires are Tiggers then they no longer belong to Supermarine they belong to Disney. Tiger tanks will no longer be allowed to be referred to as such, as Tiger is too close to Tigger. It wouldn't be long, as a brand protection strategy, that Tiger tanks would no longer belong to Henschel they would belong to Disney. After that it wouldn't take long for the corporate copyright lawyers realise that there is no copyright on World War Two...soon after that World War Two will belong to Disney.
The 3rd installment of Tiger Tank Profile brings us a pair of Tigers from Air Ace Picture Library number 276, Komet's Prey, published in January 1966. These brutes appear to like nothing better than to trundle around finding upside down aircraft to shoot up. Needless to say the Tigers move very quickly from being vicious perpetrators to hapless targets.
...the talk turns towards the best representation of a Tiger Tank on a wargame counter.
There's a small problem with War Picture Library 21 Airborne - it is a terrible story. It begins well enough and as it is published in 1959 there are many words to read. Older pocket war comics have a higher word density than later editions. You just have to pick up a Thriller Picture Library to see the depth of writing that is involved.
Airborne is principally the story of Private Frankie Small who enlists in the paratroopers. He manages to pass all the rigorous tests (few people make it through) yet he has an Achilles heal. Despite being the son of a barge owner he is terrified of deep water. This fact is introduced nicely into the story in an unexpected manner - which is great writing, his phobia is then used again to prevent him from jumping in at a critical point in the story, yet he over comes his fear when he really needs to and of course he saves the day. All of this is very well written and introduced and handled though out the story.
Yet I kept having a disconnect with Frankie. He is a veteran from another regiment. He passes all the paratroop tests required of him for entry into the Red Devils. He can gun down Germans and show no remorse - yet he acts and looks like a scared school boy.
The story travels well until the captain and sergeant get captured. The German general who is interrogating them can't help himself and does that thing that bad guys do and has to tells his captives of his overly complicated and meticulous plan to foil any counter attack. They must have a subject at German General Staff School called "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?".
Needless to say armed with the knowledge of these plans, the deep water fear finally overcome and with a huge amount (thankfully admitted) good luck everything works out in the end. There is a absolutely radiant inner glow from Frankie as he takes his rightful place amongst his peers.
So the problem is this...
The story starts so well and the more the story moves along the less it has to do with the promise made at the beginning. It has very little to do with the excellent cover artwork and introductory paragraph. There are also some truly dreadful boys own adventure moments that otherwise mar a story that had such a promising start.
Is it only me or do I really expect too much?
So much promise at the start...
Look at those groovy hats.
Yeah! Slippy!! You got it? I don't.
Frankie looks like he ate all the cream pies.
You could say they left without telling you.
Bullets won't hurt you pair of wimps. But I will!
It's a little known fact that Germans are actually afraid of rough looking men who shout out these kinds of words.
Brush with the enemy? He killed the lot of them!
Nice shadow on that wall.
I've shown Mr Squarehead before - but this time look at Mr Bonehead looking like he's doing something.
For an issue about paratroopers there are certainly some good drawings of tanks in this story. This is a Tiger in case you missed it...
...and I think this is a Cromwell.
These fine examples of Tiger tanks come from War Picture Library 21 Airborne (published by AP publishing). Sometimes when vehicles turn up in pocket war comics they tend to be more of an idea of what a tank should look like.
However who ever had the task of illustrating this particular issue had the benefit of some good research materials at his disposal or had the opportunity to see a tank first hand.
I'm not an expert in this area but they look pretty good to me. Those who know more could no doubt point out the flaws and I am always happy to learn more about this kind of thing. Even though I think the Tiger in the drawing of the crew rushing to take on der British para-trupen looks a little large.
I intend to publish more pictures of specific vehicles and aircraft as I come across them in my collection of British war comics.
If anybody has anything specific they would like me to profile I am only too happy to oblige.
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