Comic Books and War

Dan Keleher · Post by **Dan Keleher** » Fri May 10, 2002 7:54 pm

Sparked by a comment on another thread...does anyone else have happy memories of reading 'war' comics as a kid? Which ones do you recall fondly?

Does anyone else recall: Sgt. Rock, Weird War, Enemy Ace, and the Haunted Tank?

For those in the UK - when I was a lad a good friend spent summers in Ireland. Every September he'd return with a pile of Battle Weekly (not Battle Action!) filled with great strips: Charlie's War, Darkie's Mob and Johnny Red figure prominently in my memories. My friend also brought pack piles of 2000AD (long before Judge Dredd hit these shores) but that's another thread!

Kanon Fodder · Post by **Kanon Fodder** » Fri May 10, 2002 8:24 pm

I still have some old "G.I. Combat" with the Haunted Tank from the early '60s, plus some "Our Army at War" with Sgt. Rock and Easy Co.

I also have a bunch of Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, although a 'friend' borrowed about 50 of them back in the early '70s and I never got them back.

I have 2 or 3 "Enemy Ace" but used to have a lot more. I suspect the same 'friend' may have been involved.

I used to enjoy the ones that Dell put out that were more of a historical representation of given battles etc. like "Tarawa" and "Saipan"

The comics I have are part of my 'Retirement Fund'

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sat May 18, 2002 6:37 pm

Oh I sure miss the good ole days of comics....

When I could grumble that asking 25 cents for a comic was sheer robbery.

Now comics seem to be to "adult" in nature, or at least the ladies in them sure look a bit to fantasy intensive.

The price tag is adult in nature too.

If my son has a choice of a flimsy comic book or renting a video game, guess what his choice is.

I stopped reading comics so many years ago. When the price of a comic became identical to the cost of an entire book, pictures are just not enough (besides, the pictures in my mind look better anyway).

But I do remember Sgt Rock and Easy Company fondly.

I even have the article that allows me to covert a card from the Squad Leader looking Up Front game, into Sgt. Rock hehe.

scimitar · Post by **scimitar** » Sun May 19, 2002 10:00 am

Don't know if there are sold in the USA, but for French speaking Europeans (and Canadians), a serie exists about the ACW, called "Les Tuniques Bleues". It's the story of two cavalrymen of the Federate army, Sergeant Cornelius Chesterfield and Corporal Louis Blutch. Each story is based on an historical background (first Bull Run; troubles in New York; and so on) with some humoristic touch.

Paul Wykes · Post by **Paul Wykes** » Sun May 19, 2002 4:38 pm

Ah, comic books. Always raises a smile in my house. My wife is continually asking me to "dispose" of my collect of comic book annuals.

For anyone from the Uk, it includes books such as "Victor book for boys" (a mix of war and adventure stories), "Hotspur for boys" (same as victor), "Valiant" (war stories), "Battle" and "lion".

Alot of these books include factual articles and picture stories based on actual events.

These books helped fuel my interest in WW2, which continues today.

Just one question. When I was older I purchased 3 books which were a collection of comics published in the US. They were called "The Nam". Is this magazine still going? What was the reception like for it?

Regards

stevemk1a · Post by **stevemk1a** » Mon May 20, 2002 12:42 pm

In the Sgt Rock comics, anytime a German position was blown up (by grenade of course) all the hardware goes flying in the air... MG34...stahlhelm...ammobelts...boots...etc... no human losses though. My fave comic of all time is the Haunted Tank deluxe issue where they were sent behind enemy lines on the Hammelburg raid with other Ami forces to rescue some POW's, and the Haunted tank scavenges bits from enemy tanks and raids enemy depots for supplies. The "Frankentank" eventually breaks back into allied lines. Does anyone else remember this comic!- It was my favourate issue... "long live the ghost of J.E.B. Stuart".

WhiteRook · Post by **WhiteRook** » Mon May 20, 2002 10:25 pm

Nice to see others sharing their fond memories of the good ole days of comics!

One of these days I should scan three or four covers from the old comics and attach them to a post.

Kanon Fodder · Post by **Kanon Fodder** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:05 pm

Originally posted by WhiteRook
Nice to see others sharing their fond memories of the good ole days of comics! One of these days I should scan three or four covers from the old comics and attach them to a post.

I had been thinking the same thing.

Here are a few samples:

"Jungle War Stories" July 1962

Kanon Fodder · Post by **Kanon Fodder** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:07 pm

"War Stories - Combat Tarawa" October 1964

Kanon Fodder · Post by **Kanon Fodder** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:08 pm

"G.I. Combat" January 1964

Kanon Fodder · Post by **Kanon Fodder** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:09 pm

"G.I. Combat" March 1964

Kanon Fodder · Post by **Kanon Fodder** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:10 pm

"Our Army at War" February 1965

This one features the first appearance of "Enemy Ace"

Kanon Fodder · Post by **Kanon Fodder** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:10 pm

"Our Army at War" October 1967

stevemk1a · Post by **stevemk1a** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:47 pm

Love that Jan '64 cover! The Tiger's cannon is actually pushed through the Jeep's windshield! - now THAT is close combat

rosary · Post by **rosary** » Tue May 21, 2002 12:12 am

As a child, I devoured copies of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers anothologies. I also read way to much Spiderman, The Hulk, and THe fantastic 4. I was far to much interested in Uncle Creepy and Cousin Eerie magazines and. . .Heavy Metal.

Dan Keleher · Post by **Dan Keleher** » Tue May 21, 2002 1:06 am

Paul,

'The Nam' was a comic published by Marvel back in the 80's - went on for some time I believe.

Wish to hell someone would republish the entire run of Charley's War.

WhiteRook · Post by **WhiteRook** » Tue May 21, 2002 1:12 am

Originally posted by Kanon Fodder

I had been thinking the same thing.

Here are a few samples:

"Jungle War Stories" July 1962

Man what I would'nt have given to have had a copy of this one!
Can not get my visioner scanner to work so am going to have
to get the old HP back out and hooked up!