Like a Sherman but not a Sherman.

When is a Sherman Tank not a Sherman Tank? Most times a Sherman is a Sherman, but this time things appear to be different. The old  adage of "if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck means it must be a ...." might not apply in this situation. Sure it looks like Sherman Tank but there doesn't appear to be enough of it. If anything it appears to be a bogey short of a full tread. 

Americans and knees don't mix.

Americans appear to be such an untrusting lot. What is it in their national psyche that drives them in that direction? Is it because they can't differentiate between accents? Is it because as a non-miliatary short wearing peoples they are unable to grasp the concept of knees at war? Is it because the British are good at that kind of warrior presentation that Americans shun the idea? Or is it an extension of their origins in Puritanism? One thing that is for certain is that they appear to value suspicion.

Stupid Idea number 34

Here's a stupid idea in case you're bereft of any stupid ideas. Find yourself an equally stupid friend. Bulldozerjack a suitable peice of earth moving equipment. Load a substantial amount of explosives to the bulldozer blade. Drive directly towards a number of fellows trying to kill you with heavy machinegun fire by trying to put bullets inside you from a distance. You want stupid? You got stupid.

Flying Tigers a mini review.

Despite the misleading title and inevitable plotline coincidence, this is a story with depth, concluding with an open ended final panel. As always, those who are not from the Empire are rightfully considered with some derision. Flying Tigers is no different with both Japanese and Americans cast in the appropriate dim light. The Flying Tigers of the title are seen as nothing more than mercenaries and treated as such by the Squadron Leader, who by the way has a past that haunts him. Who would have thought that he and an American mercenary would share a past and a (possibly short) future?
Air Ace Picture Library 344 Flying Tigers well worth tracking down.

Americans can do this, you can't do this.

When it comes to looking good, some people are good at it. Don't fret if you are one of the many and not one of few. As a group American's would have you believe they invented sunglasses, which they may have very well done. One thing they do very well is sensibly wear them when pursuing aerial activities. However they are susceptible to wearing their caps in a manner that chaps involved in the main activity and pursuits in velodrome are apt to adopt. Thankfully that practice is not being engaged here.

Vengeance as a motivation.

I like to go fast.

I like to go fast with my friends. I like to go faster than my friends. When I'm going faster than my friends I am happy. As long as my friends are not faster than me but we are all going very fast that is when I am the happiest.

There was one time when I was not as fast as my friends. I was happy but not as happy as I am now that I am faster than my friends.

I like being happy.

Shameless Promotion

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

Air Ace Picture Library 298 Superfort Strike

The retrospectoscope of political correctness is not kind to Superfort Strike. This is the type of pocket war 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.

Air Ace Picture Library 267 Fatal Flight

 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 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!

War Picture Library 99 Spearhead

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?