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CAPTAIN HERCULES HURRICANE was a Royal Marines Commando who debuted in VALIANT #1 in 1962 and appeared right through to the last issue in 1976. Accompanied by his batman MAGGOT MALONE, he was almost the British equivalent of the United State's 'super soldier' CAPTAIN AMERICA - but without the colourful costume and written in a more humorous vein. Whenever he lost his temper in a "ragin' fury", he became imbued with an almost superhuman strength - much like POPEYE when he downed his spinach.
This particular full-colour tale comes from the Valiant Annual for 1974 (issued near the end of '73) and is typical of the type of World War II adventures in which Herc and Maggot became embroiled. CHARLES ROYLANCE was the regular artist in the weekly comic and these pages certainly look like his work, though I'm unsure if he also provided the colour or it was done 'in-house'.
I should point out that, in the following strip, the Captain indulges in a few racial insults that would be considered unacceptable nowadays. However, without endorsing such language, the tale appears as originally published and reflects not only the time in which it was written, but also the period in which it was set, and shouldn't be regarded as representing the general attitude of most Britons today.
Anyway, for all those who thrilled to his adventures as boys, here's another chance to enjoy Captain Hurricane at his rip-snortin' best.
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