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"Timelessly relevant and well researched, this is a comics classic."- PW "Charley's War is one of the finest, most fondly remembered comic strips ever, a deeply radical, horrific reimagining of WWI." - Uncut"
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Renowned UK comics writer Pat Mills (Marshal Law, Slaine) and legendary artist Joe Colquhoun (Johnny Red) continue the thrilling, humorous and horrifying story of World War One soldier Charley Bourne. Home from the war thanks to an injury, Charley escapes from a terrifying air-raid, only to run into a deserter from the Foreign Legion - who tells him of the awful siege of Fort Vaux, even as both men run for their lives from the Military Police! Rich in the detailed minutiae of the terror-punctuated existence of a Tommy, this fourth volume of Charley's War features a brand new introduction by Tariq Goddard and director's commentary by Pat Mills, plus exclusive bonus content.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Another cracking volume of `Charley's War' with the usual excellent introduction and commentary from Mills.
Charley is recuperating at home from the wounds he suffered during the Battle of the Somme. Here he encounters Blue, an English deserter from the French Foreign Legion.
The story runs a neat double-story, from Charley and Blue's adventures as they try and stay one step ahead of the pursuing MPs led by the sinister `Dragman' and Blue's horrific account of the Battle of Verdun that took place at the same time as the Battle of the Somme.
Verdun aside, the depiction of London nearly a hundred years ago is a tour de force. The pub, the new-fangled cinema, the musical hall, pie and mash shop, the Underground, docks, back alleys and the poorhouse all feature and are as intricately portrayed as the Western Front.
Full of ironic touches, not least Charley watching dumbfounded a sanitised `Battle of the Somme'newsreel, a box office hit of the war, as his dim girlfriend asks him if they really fought in the rain. (Colquhoun has inked a still from the film on the screen). The mad rush of draft dodgers and AWOL servicemen during a military police raid, is delivered with the blackest humour.
The claustrophobic horror of the defence of Fort Vaux and the fight for the salient are filled with little historical details, some found in Alistair Horne's classic history, `The Price of Glory' - the penal battalions working to keep the Voie Sacree open; the French officer who goes off his head and threatens to blow up a grenade store; the `trench of bayonets'; even the black cocker spaniel of Fort Vaux's commandant make an appearance.
Blue's story offers an interesting mirror to Charley's character. Where Blue, the petty thief, decides that to run is less dishonourable than fighting in an immoral war, Charley is resigned to returning to the front and possibly to die in a war that he too has ceased to believe in. The transformation from the naive, have-a-go teenager of the earlier volumes is now complete.
As with my previous review, I wish they had kept the colour originals and the inking is a bit murky (presumably most of the original artwork is lost and they are working from printed copies), but still worth every penny. Volume 5 follows. Well done, Titan!
Charley is recuperating at home from the wounds he suffered during the Battle of the Somme. Here he encounters Blue, an English deserter from the French Foreign Legion.
The story runs a neat double-story, from Charley and Blue's adventures as they try and stay one step ahead of the pursuing MPs led by the sinister `Dragman' and Blue's horrific account of the Battle of Verdun that took place at the same time as the Battle of the Somme.
Verdun aside, the depiction of London nearly a hundred years ago is a tour de force. The pub, the new-fangled cinema, the musical hall, pie and mash shop, the Underground, docks, back alleys and the poorhouse all feature and are as intricately portrayed as the Western Front.
Full of ironic touches, not least Charley watching dumbfounded a sanitised `Battle of the Somme'newsreel, a box office hit of the war, as his dim girlfriend asks him if they really fought in the rain. (Colquhoun has inked a still from the film on the screen). The mad rush of draft dodgers and AWOL servicemen during a military police raid, is delivered with the blackest humour.
The claustrophobic horror of the defence of Fort Vaux and the fight for the salient are filled with little historical details, some found in Alistair Horne's classic history, `The Price of Glory' - the penal battalions working to keep the Voie Sacree open; the French officer who goes off his head and threatens to blow up a grenade store; the `trench of bayonets'; even the black cocker spaniel of Fort Vaux's commandant make an appearance.
Blue's story offers an interesting mirror to Charley's character. Where Blue, the petty thief, decides that to run is less dishonourable than fighting in an immoral war, Charley is resigned to returning to the front and possibly to die in a war that he too has ceased to believe in. The transformation from the naive, have-a-go teenager of the earlier volumes is now complete.
As with my previous review, I wish they had kept the colour originals and the inking is a bit murky (presumably most of the original artwork is lost and they are working from printed copies), but still worth every penny. Volume 5 follows. Well done, Titan!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Another marvellous volume of Charley's War, recounting the story of a deserter from the French Foreign Legion, whom Charley meets whilst on leave.
This is a superbly written story & had me riveted from start to finish. Excellent art work as ever but the writing in this volume really is of the highest standard.
I got this for Christmas & reading this on Christmas night, with a bottle of beer & turkey sandwich in hand, I was engrossed - absolutely cracking in every way.
This is a superbly written story & had me riveted from start to finish. Excellent art work as ever but the writing in this volume really is of the highest standard.
I got this for Christmas & reading this on Christmas night, with a bottle of beer & turkey sandwich in hand, I was engrossed - absolutely cracking in every way.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I was a kid I was raised on war stories from my Grandad and he used to say how dirty and unglorious war really is and I used to think why don't the books I read show this eg Commando and Warlord. Then I found Battle and I couldn't believe how graphic it was. I loved the artwork and I used to read it over and over again but when it changed to Battle Action Force it went down the pan in my opinion.
These reprinted stories in book form have taken me back down memory lane and as an adult I appreciate them from a different perspective. The stories are great and although I think the left wing politics are a bit over egged I love the fact that Charley is just an ordinary bloke getting on with it.
A must have for anybody who read battle and I think all Schools should have a copy of these.
Excellent.
These reprinted stories in book form have taken me back down memory lane and as an adult I appreciate them from a different perspective. The stories are great and although I think the left wing politics are a bit over egged I love the fact that Charley is just an ordinary bloke getting on with it.
A must have for anybody who read battle and I think all Schools should have a copy of these.
Excellent.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A masterpiece
An excellent graphic novel of an old favorite from my youth. A great realistic gritty story with outstanding artwork brought together as originally as possible with additional... Read more
Published 1 month ago by P. B. Allan
Charleys War
Superb art and story, if you did not read this as a kid, do so now, worth every penny and one of the best war stories every written in comics form.
Published 15 months ago by Emperors Chosen
loved it
my husband has read this book over and over again he thinks it is great.
Published on 2 Jan 2010 by Mrs. R. Parrott
More Classic British Comics But Please Shut Up, Pat Mills!
Charley's War is certainly a classic British comic strip and has lots to recommend it. Unfortunately the downside to these lavish reprints comes with Pat Mill's commentaries. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2008 by Emilio Mestiga
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