Search found 668 matches

by geoff42
23 Jun 2021, 23:28
Forum: Non-comics discussion
Topic: Our Colin (aka colcool007)
Replies: 48
Views: 63380

Re: Our Colin (aka colcool007)

it really is in the last 14 months that "death" has touched me with great poignance. I've lost grandparents and relatives but none really ever touched me. Then, i lost my faithful dog of 14 years that greatly touched me (believe it or not!) Then, 8 months ago i lost my father. I still have tearful o...
by geoff42
21 Jun 2021, 23:50
Forum: Non-comics discussion
Topic: Our Colin (aka colcool007)
Replies: 48
Views: 63380

Re: Our Colin (aka colcool007)

just learnt that col has died... so devastating to hear! Though we never met personally, we had a good few exchanges through this website to the extent that we shared a mutual respect and fondness for each other. I'll share an episode between us that no one knows... not even col. Once, he was champi...
by geoff42
29 Sep 2019, 10:57
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Between Battle's cover-dated issues August 2nd - October 18th 1980, "Charley's War" saw our beleaguered hero, Charley Bourne, killed and... well, he was actually missing (presumed dead) until he resurfaced in a French hospital with memory loss, which was quickly arrested by 'Ole Bill Tozer who had a...
by geoff42
28 Aug 2019, 11:45
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

With "Kommando King", Gerry Finley-Day (writer) wrote his last series for "Battle" that featured a German protagonist and which had paled significantly against his former, popular strips: "Hellman", "Fighter from the Sky" and "Panzer G-Man". Hot on the heels of "Kommando King", "Cooley's Gun" contin...
by geoff42
28 Jul 2019, 17:15
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Upon reading Battle's 282nd issue (cover-dated September 27th 1980)… (I know, I've let the reading of Battle elapsed of late as I've been somewhat occupied with another project on "Deviant Art" which... ahem, deals with comic-strip, adult-orientated material... but I shall endeavour with "Battle" be...
by geoff42
22 May 2019, 13:10
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Following on from the previous two posts... Dave Hunt's "damned football" that was "Top Soccer" endured for a pitiful 17 issue-run and was summarily axed with its 05/01/80 cover-dated issue. In essence, "Top Soccer" was pro-offered as a sacrificial lamb from its launch; to protect and preserve IPC's...
by geoff42
17 May 2019, 22:24
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Continuing from the previous post, Dave Hunt's "damned football" was kicked on to the newsagent's shelf in the shape of "Top Soccer" alongside long-running, weekly stablemate "Shoot" with its 15/09/79 cover-dated issue. On the "Soccerbilia" website, which provides a hive of information with regard t...
by geoff42
16 May 2019, 23:13
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Approximately twelve months ago before the end of August 1980, Dave Hunt (Battle's pioneering and, arguably its greatest editor) was, essentially, delivered a football with which to kick straight out of Battle's bullet-riddled doors and follow its trajectory. The trajectory bounced into: Top Soccer ...
by geoff42
25 Apr 2019, 22:24
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

From Battle's launch back in March 1975 to August 2nd 1980, I have compiled a wealth of reference notes with regard to serials, features, complete stories, artists and writers. Within the aforementioned dates, I could quote not only the number of episodes (171) but also the amount of art pages (584....
by geoff42
14 Apr 2019, 21:59
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Along with its 72nd showing within Battle's July 26th 1980 cover-dated issue, Charley's War completed its longest story arc to date which was far from a classic. Largely engaged with Colonel Zeiss and his Judgement Troopers over the Somme trenches, the series underwent a subtle shift in narrative an...
by geoff42
22 Mar 2019, 14:49
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Cover-dated: July 12th 1980, this issue of Battle heralded a momentous turnaround for artists, writers and even letterers - their names were now in lights or, rather, in print and credited with the strips to which they had contributed. 2000 AD had promoted this practice since its launch back in 1977...
by geoff42
23 Feb 2019, 02:05
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Mike Western (celebrated "Battle" artist between 1976 and 1980) and his departure from the bullet-riddled doors was somewhat understated as if he were slipping out the back door while no one was looking. After completing the first five episodes of "War Dog", Western signed off his last piece of orig...
by geoff42
09 Feb 2019, 13:55
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Three months after the end of Crazy Keller, Alan Hebden returned to Battle and penned his next series: War Dog which ran from Dec. 29th 1979 to July 7th 1980 cover-dated issues. A good, healthy run on the face of these dates; yet, War Dog had but a modest tally of 16 episodes. With hindsight, the se...
by geoff42
02 Feb 2019, 00:34
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

For IPC, the first half year of 1980 was dire - through industrial disputes, Battle lost eight issues. No sooner had the new year bells faded, Battle went AWOL from the newsagent's shelf between January 19th and February 9th. There was a time that were a publication to miss just one week's deadline....
by geoff42
02 Aug 2018, 23:16
Forum: Retired IPC/Odhams/Fleetway titles
Topic: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain
Replies: 245
Views: 156573

Re: Battle picture weekly - Terror Behind the Bamboo curtain

Charley's War has always attained a glorious legacy since its original run in Battle and has, deservedly, received many accolades. Yet, there are particular episodes that are largely forgotten within Charley's epic framework, which cry out for recognition. One such early episode involved Charley who...