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More spectacular RON EMBLETON illustrated covers from TV EXPRESS WEEKLY. The very first time I experienced Ron's art was in the pages of '60s comic, TV CENTURY 21, on the centrespread STINGRAY strip. Truly one of the finest artists that Britain has ever produced, I'm sure you'll agree. Funny that he should have worked on two TV-related periodicals, eh? I wonder if he ever contributed to TV COMIC? Anyone know?
Love it. Love that non PC headhunter one, I wonder what the story was since the girl appears to be Japanese. I remember one of my teachers complaining about those horrible American comics he probably meant EC.I guess killing soldiers in wonderfully rendered color was better lol.
ReplyDeleteI was never really into war stories, Phil, and I don't know anyone of my age who was. I sometimes wonder why comic editors thought kids would be into such stuff. I guess that to adults, the war still seemed recent in the early '60s, but to kids it would've appeared to be distant history. Funnuly enough, although Cowboys & Indian strips fell into the same category, they seemed far more exciting.
ReplyDeleteI liked war comics but more the EC anti war comics, plus Sgt. Rock and of course the Howling commandos. What's interesting is how juvenile the British war comics were, they were all boys own adventure but the American comics were far more anti war comics. Even Sgt. Fury.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a strip in Smash! called Sgt. Rock (not the DC one) which was quite intelligent and not at all 'gung ho', Phil. Then there was Charley's War (in Battle), which was anti-war in its approach, so not all British war strips were juvenile. However, most probably were (like Valiant's Captain Hurricane, which was comedic in its approach), but that's probably because British comics were aimed at a younger readership than DC or Marvel comics.
ReplyDeleteYea come to think of it. The EC war comics were definitely not kids stuff. Did you get the Warren Blazing Combat? They're great stories plus great art. I remember Charley's War. Not too well but I remember the strip. Did they ever reprint it?
DeleteWell, somebody must have liked war stories, Kid, as those war comics seemed quite popular - after all, that's why Marvel UK launched 'Fury' to get a piece of the war comics market.
ReplyDeleteBut remember, CJ, Fury died on its @rse, so clearly those readers who loved war comics didn't love Fury. I bought Warlord when it first came out, yet I wasn't a particular fan of war comics. None of my pals who bought comics when they were kids ever seem to talk about the war strips. Strange that.
ReplyDeleteI've read that Fury failed because British kids wanted to read about British soldiers, not American ones. I wasn't a fan of war comics either but I repeat that war comics did well so somebody must have been reading them. I'd rather have read a war comic, though, than Roy Of The Rovers - I'm just glad I discovered Marvel UK.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that it was the main reason, CJ. For those who are into war stories, it would be the story that was important, not the nationality of the soldiers. I'm not saying that it wasn't a factor, mind, I just doubt that it was the main one. I think Fury failed because the Marvel style was just too different to what British readers of war stories were used to. And remember, I didn't say that nobody read war comics, only that I don't know of anyone my age (as in friends) who read them - as in specifically over any other type of comic. Britain used to have a comics industry (which it no longer has, despite the vain protestations of a few deluded individuals), and kids read comics, regardless of what type they were. I dare say that a fair number of those who read war comics (not counting adults who'd been in the war) read them mainly for something to read, not particularly because they were about the war.
ReplyDeleteDidn't get Blazing Combat that I remember, Phil - have probably seen a few stories 'though. I believe Charley's War has been reprinted, but I don't know if it's been done in its entirety or not.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link for the Russ Heath story. Give it a look. it's worth posting as an example of great art. Also amazing is this was published in a comic in 1966 when the Vietnam war was on. It's strong story telling.
ReplyDeleteI'll certainly give it a read, Phil (as will others, I'm sure)- ta much.
ReplyDeleteOops! Meant to type 'funnily' in my first response to Phil, not 'funnuly'.
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