War Picture Library
Encyclopedia
War Picture Library was a British
64-page Pocket library war comic
title published by Amalgamated Press/Fleetway
(now owned by IPC Magazines
) for 2103 issues. Each issue featured a complete story, beginning in 1 September 1958 with "Fight Back to Dunkirk" and finishing 26 years later with "Wings of the Fleet" (3 December 1984).
Companion titles Air Ace Picture Library (1960-1970) and Action Picture Library (1969-1970) were both folded into the longer-running War Picture Library in later years.
. Comprising 64-pages, the tales were, according to Steve Holland "page turner[s] of the first order, a shilling
shocker that grabbed [the] attention" of a — primarily — young audience. Written and illustrated, at least in early years, "by creators who had lived through the war themselves, many on the front line," War Picture Library was able to show clearly to its target audience "what [the reader's] fathers and uncles had been through in combat." War Picture Library brought the Second World War to life "[i]n all its grim glory," according to writer and editor Steve Holland.
The stories were not limited to tales of combat, some set in "the bomb-torn streets of London during the blitz," although the bulk of the stories released several times a month for over two thousand issues were set in all fields of combat. Crucially, reflecting the cultural shifts in popular fiction, the war stories did not always feature "a heroic journey," nor yet were all characters automatically "gung-ho" stereotypes: "[a] diversity of characters," human emotion and even some considerable sympathy for 'the enemy' was not out-of-place in some tales.
Running until late 1984, "War Picture Library was a monthly window into a six-year global storm that affected every family in Britain." The first-hand knowledge of many of its creators also enabled the stories to ring true, and disclose - in sometimes simplified, and always fictionalised terms - the truth behind the stories told in history books.
in continuing not to credit on-page the names of its creators.
Many names - and before them, styles - became familiar to UK comics readers, however, and still more names have been documented over recent years. Contributors to War Picture Library included artists such as Giorgio Trevisan, Harry Farrugia, George Heath
, Nevio Zeccara, Annibale Casabianca, F. Solano López, Juan Gonzalez Alacreu, Jose Ortiz
, Ramon de la Fuente
, Jorge Moliterni, Renzo Calegari, Luis Ramos
, Gino D'Antonio and Hugo Pratt
.
Writers are often harder to identify, but among those identified by Steve Holland (et al.) are Donne Avenell, Ian Kellie, Douglas Leach, Willie Patterson, Alf Wallace, David Satherley, Roger P. Clegg, A. Carney Allen and S & J Thomas.
, a "relatively minor contributor to the war libraries," who "was captured [during WWII] and made a P.O.W. by the Japanese." Parvin's story is told in the autobiographical Yasumai! (Digit Books, 1958), and "[a]t least one" of his contributions to War Picture Library (as well as Battle Picture Library) "was set around the Railroad of Death in Burma."
As with most war picture libraries, the equipment was accurately depicted in addition to the settings, although unlike some, War Picture Library was not averse to making central characters out of individuals usually associated with relatively minor overall roles. The often-realistic writing even downplayed the differences between the sides, treating some German frontline soldiers as - like the British - discrete individuals caught up in their wartime role, who were not wholly evil and did not always wish to fight, as wartime propaganda so often suggested. Nevertheless, due in part to the ultimately patriotic nature of many of the stories, and the time in which some were created, some racist steretyping occasionally crept in.
Stories of self-sacrifice, such as that of Captain John Locke in "The Valley of Death" (War Picture Library #120 (Nov 1961), art by Jose Ortiz
) were not uncommon, and were frequently depicted as serving a greater good and having a large, wider impact on the course of the war (in Locke's case, Operation Broadway). Some tales would also provide a certain amount of levity, and even slapstick comedy, such as the mildly farcical tale of Corporal Tagg in the Donne Avenell-penned "Snarl of Battle" (War Picture Library #162 (Sep 1962), art by Ramon de la Fuente
), which also highlighted very serious issues including the often stark discrepancies between the men who engaged in action and those who took (or were given) the credit.
, and dealing with Nazi war crimes such as the execution of prisoners; Issue #54 (June 1960)'s "Umbrella in the Sky" provided a fictionalised account of RAF pilots flying Hurricane
s to Russia providing aid to Britain's then-ally during the German assaults. Issue #1151 "Fix Bayonets", (December, 1975) followed four conscripts from their initial training until their eventual action in Italy, where two are killed: one heroically, one pointlessly - aptly highlighting the dichotomy between different forms of 'death in action,' and providing a story all the more poignant for having followed their careers for so long.
(D. C. Thomson), in 1961. Perennial rival publishers D. C. Thomson and Amalgamated Press/Fleetway competed for readers and launched between them dozens of comics in pocket format - some spun off from or reprinting existing titles, others providing new twists on the adventure serial. Two of Fleetway's siste-publications - Air Ace Picture Library and Action Picture Library - were ultimately folded into War Picture Library. Such mergers were commonplace in the UK (and US) markets, and Air Ace was on its own published for 545 issues over a full decade (Jan 1960 - Nov 1970) before being merged.
In addition to the multiple war-related titles, others dealing with Cowboy
s/Westerns
and Spies
sprang up, as did titles from smaller publishers such as GM Smith/Micron, M V Features, Pearson Publications and Famepress Publications, among others. Titles were also translated into several languages, and sold around the world.
There were 2103 individual titles, as well as a 1971 War Picture Library Holiday Special.
, current rights owner of the IPC Media titles - selected issues of War Picture Library as part of their UK comics reprints stable. Two volumes of 12 comics each have so far been produced, with a further volume of 11 comics published in 2009 and a smaller volume containing six comics in 2010:
* :Collects: "Battle Drop" (#67), "Aces High" (#78), "Up the Marines!" (#58), "Close Range" (#63), "Bombers Moon" (#72) and "Danger Dives Deep" (#65).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
64-page Pocket library war comic
War comics
War comics is a genre of comic books that gained popularity in English-speaking countries following World War II.-American war comics:Shortly after the birth of the modern comic book in the mid- to late 1930s, comics publishers began including stories of wartime adventures in the multi-genre...
title published by Amalgamated Press/Fleetway
Fleetway
Fleetway, also known as Fleetway Publications and Fleetway Editions, was a UK publishing company which mainly produced comic magazines. For a time owned by IPC Media, they are now a division of Egmont Publishing....
(now owned by IPC Magazines
IPC Media
IPC Media , a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc., is a consumer magazine and digital publisher in the United Kingdom, with a large portfolio selling over 350 million copies each year.- Origins :...
) for 2103 issues. Each issue featured a complete story, beginning in 1 September 1958 with "Fight Back to Dunkirk" and finishing 26 years later with "Wings of the Fleet" (3 December 1984).
Companion titles Air Ace Picture Library (1960-1970) and Action Picture Library (1969-1970) were both folded into the longer-running War Picture Library in later years.
Publication history
Launched in September, 1958, the Amalgamated Press/Fleetway title War Picture Library was one of the earliest (arguably the earliest) "pocket library" titles, and in particular one of the first to feature stories set during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Comprising 64-pages, the tales were, according to Steve Holland "page turner[s] of the first order, a shilling
Shilling
The shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...
shocker that grabbed [the] attention" of a — primarily — young audience. Written and illustrated, at least in early years, "by creators who had lived through the war themselves, many on the front line," War Picture Library was able to show clearly to its target audience "what [the reader's] fathers and uncles had been through in combat." War Picture Library brought the Second World War to life "[i]n all its grim glory," according to writer and editor Steve Holland.
The stories were not limited to tales of combat, some set in "the bomb-torn streets of London during the blitz," although the bulk of the stories released several times a month for over two thousand issues were set in all fields of combat. Crucially, reflecting the cultural shifts in popular fiction, the war stories did not always feature "a heroic journey," nor yet were all characters automatically "gung-ho" stereotypes: "[a] diversity of characters," human emotion and even some considerable sympathy for 'the enemy' was not out-of-place in some tales.
Running until late 1984, "War Picture Library was a monthly window into a six-year global storm that affected every family in Britain." The first-hand knowledge of many of its creators also enabled the stories to ring true, and disclose - in sometimes simplified, and always fictionalised terms - the truth behind the stories told in history books.
Creators
Uncredited from the start, as were the vast majority of comic books written and drawn in the late 1950s and early 1960s, War Picture Library continued the trend of UK-based comics publishers such as D. C. Thomson and publisher FleetwayFleetway
Fleetway, also known as Fleetway Publications and Fleetway Editions, was a UK publishing company which mainly produced comic magazines. For a time owned by IPC Media, they are now a division of Egmont Publishing....
in continuing not to credit on-page the names of its creators.
Many names - and before them, styles - became familiar to UK comics readers, however, and still more names have been documented over recent years. Contributors to War Picture Library included artists such as Giorgio Trevisan, Harry Farrugia, George Heath
George Heath
George Heath was an early American racing driver. A native Long Islander who spent much of his time in France, he won the first Vanderbilt Cup race in 1904 driving a Panhard and was retroactively awarded the 1904 National Championship in 1951. Heath returned to the Vanderbilt Cup in 1905 and...
, Nevio Zeccara, Annibale Casabianca, F. Solano López, Juan Gonzalez Alacreu, Jose Ortiz
José Ortiz
José Rafael Ortiz , better known as Piculín or Picu, is a retired Puerto Rican professional basketball player...
, Ramon de la Fuente
Ramón de la Fuente
Ramón de la Fuente may refer to:*Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, , Mexican psychiatrist*Juan Ramón de la Fuente, , Mexican psychiatrist, son of the above*Ramón de la Fuente Leal, Spanish footballer who played in the 1934 FIFA World Cup...
, Jorge Moliterni, Renzo Calegari, Luis Ramos
Luis Ramos
Luis Eduardo Ramos is a Uruguayan football defender who played for Uruguay in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. He also played for Club Nacional de Football.-External links:*...
, Gino D'Antonio and Hugo Pratt
Hugo Pratt
Hugo Eugenio Pratt was an Italian comic book creator who was known for combining strong storytelling with extensive historical research on works such as Corto Maltese...
.
Writers are often harder to identify, but among those identified by Steve Holland (et al.) are Donne Avenell, Ian Kellie, Douglas Leach, Willie Patterson, Alf Wallace, David Satherley, Roger P. Clegg, A. Carney Allen and S & J Thomas.
Hallmarks
War Picture Library was among the first war comic to use real dates, places, settings, battles and (occasionally) battalions to more accurately place the stories in the historical action, even if the stories themselves were fictional. This came about largely because so many of the (early) writers and artists had actually fought in the battles they wrote about and drew. Steve Holland cites the example of G. R. ParvinG. R. Parvin
George Roland Parvin was born 20 July 1917 and died in 27th December 1997 aged 80George Roland Parvin was a director of IPC Business Press Ltd...
, a "relatively minor contributor to the war libraries," who "was captured [during WWII] and made a P.O.W. by the Japanese." Parvin's story is told in the autobiographical Yasumai! (Digit Books, 1958), and "[a]t least one" of his contributions to War Picture Library (as well as Battle Picture Library) "was set around the Railroad of Death in Burma."
As with most war picture libraries, the equipment was accurately depicted in addition to the settings, although unlike some, War Picture Library was not averse to making central characters out of individuals usually associated with relatively minor overall roles. The often-realistic writing even downplayed the differences between the sides, treating some German frontline soldiers as - like the British - discrete individuals caught up in their wartime role, who were not wholly evil and did not always wish to fight, as wartime propaganda so often suggested. Nevertheless, due in part to the ultimately patriotic nature of many of the stories, and the time in which some were created, some racist steretyping occasionally crept in.
Stories of self-sacrifice, such as that of Captain John Locke in "The Valley of Death" (War Picture Library #120 (Nov 1961), art by Jose Ortiz
José Ortiz
José Rafael Ortiz , better known as Piculín or Picu, is a retired Puerto Rican professional basketball player...
) were not uncommon, and were frequently depicted as serving a greater good and having a large, wider impact on the course of the war (in Locke's case, Operation Broadway). Some tales would also provide a certain amount of levity, and even slapstick comedy, such as the mildly farcical tale of Corporal Tagg in the Donne Avenell-penned "Snarl of Battle" (War Picture Library #162 (Sep 1962), art by Ramon de la Fuente
Ramón de la Fuente
Ramón de la Fuente may refer to:*Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, , Mexican psychiatrist*Juan Ramón de la Fuente, , Mexican psychiatrist, son of the above*Ramón de la Fuente Leal, Spanish footballer who played in the 1934 FIFA World Cup...
), which also highlighted very serious issues including the often stark discrepancies between the men who engaged in action and those who took (or were given) the credit.
Memorable stories
Stories written for all the war comics were able to bring attention to lesser-known battles and actions, as well as highlight those instantly memorable. In addition, in one issue, a narrative could be followed from training, through action to heroism - and/or death. WPL #22 (July, 1959) featured "The Invisible Enemy," set during the Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, and dealing with Nazi war crimes such as the execution of prisoners; Issue #54 (June 1960)'s "Umbrella in the Sky" provided a fictionalised account of RAF pilots flying Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
s to Russia providing aid to Britain's then-ally during the German assaults. Issue #1151 "Fix Bayonets", (December, 1975) followed four conscripts from their initial training until their eventual action in Italy, where two are killed: one heroically, one pointlessly - aptly highlighting the dichotomy between different forms of 'death in action,' and providing a story all the more poignant for having followed their careers for so long.
Legacy
One of the earliest "Picture/Pocket library" titles, War Picture Library saw a slew of imitators and sister-publications spring up, including arguably the titles more-famous rival war pocket library: CommandoCommando Comics
Commando For Action and Adventure, formerly known as Commando War Stories in Pictures, and colloquially known as Commando Comics, are a series of British comic books that primarily draw their themes and backdrops from the various incidents of the World Wars I and II...
(D. C. Thomson), in 1961. Perennial rival publishers D. C. Thomson and Amalgamated Press/Fleetway competed for readers and launched between them dozens of comics in pocket format - some spun off from or reprinting existing titles, others providing new twists on the adventure serial. Two of Fleetway's siste-publications - Air Ace Picture Library and Action Picture Library - were ultimately folded into War Picture Library. Such mergers were commonplace in the UK (and US) markets, and Air Ace was on its own published for 545 issues over a full decade (Jan 1960 - Nov 1970) before being merged.
In addition to the multiple war-related titles, others dealing with Cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
s/Westerns
Western fiction
Western fiction is a genre of literature set in the American Old West frontier and typically set from the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth century. Well-known writers of Western fiction include Zane Grey from the early 1900s and Louis L'Amour from the mid 20th century...
and Spies
Spy fiction
Spy fiction, literature concerning the forms of espionage, was a sub-genre derived from the novel during the nineteenth century, which then evolved into a discrete genre before the First World War , when governments established modern intelligence agencies in the early twentieth century...
sprang up, as did titles from smaller publishers such as GM Smith/Micron, M V Features, Pearson Publications and Famepress Publications, among others. Titles were also translated into several languages, and sold around the world.
War Picture Library content
- List of War Picture Library titles
There were 2103 individual titles, as well as a 1971 War Picture Library Holiday Special.
Collected editions
Starting in 2008, Carlton Books imprint Prion Books began reprinting - under licence from DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, current rights owner of the IPC Media titles - selected issues of War Picture Library as part of their UK comics reprints stable. Two volumes of 12 comics each have so far been produced, with a further volume of 11 comics published in 2009 and a smaller volume containing six comics in 2010:
- Unleash Hell: War Picture Library Collection No. 1, by Steve Holland (ed.) (Carlton Books/Prion, September 2007) ISBN 978-1-85375-629-0
- Collects: "Fight Back to Dunkirk" (#1), "The Crowded Sky" (#56), "Action Stations" (#3), "Umbrella in the Sky" (#54), "Crash Call" (#53), "The Iron Fist" (#25), "Lone Commando" (#36), "The Black Ace" (#141), "Air Commando" (#52), "Fire Power" (#129), "The Red Devils" (#7) and "Task Force" (#66).
- Against All Odds: War Picture Library Collection No. 2, by Steve Holland (ed.) (Carlton Books/Prion, August 4 2008) ISBN 978-1-85375-661-0
- Collects: "Finest Hour" (#175), "The Troubled Sea" (#117), "Foxhole Glory" (#170), "The Thin Blue Line" (#96), "Strike Squadron" (#84), "Banzai!" (#80), "Road from Tobruk" (#154), "Up Periscope" (#10), "Rogue Lancaster" (#181), "ParatroopParatrooperParatroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
" (#158), "The Valley of Death" (#120) and "Snarl of Battle" (#162).
- Collects: "Finest Hour" (#175), "The Troubled Sea" (#117), "Foxhole Glory" (#170), "The Thin Blue Line" (#96), "Strike Squadron" (#84), "Banzai!" (#80), "Road from Tobruk" (#154), "Up Periscope" (#10), "Rogue Lancaster" (#181), "Paratroop
- Up and at 'em!: War Picture Library Collection No. 3 , by Steve Holland (ed.) (Carlton Books/Prion, April 2009) ISBN 978-1-85375-698-6
- *:Collects: "Rough Justice" (#214), "Strike Silent" (#218), "The Secret Enemy" (#242), "Counter-Attack" (#283), "Trail of the Avenger" (#229), "Devil's Island" (#227), "The Iron Cross" (#202), "The Long March" (#206), "Operation Doomsday" (#295), "Undaunted" (#292) and "Sound the Alarm" (#212).
- "No Surrender!- Six of the Best Comic-Book adventures from War Picture Library." by Steve Holland (ed.) Prion Books Ltd, April 2010 ISBN 978-1-85375-760-0
* :Collects: "Battle Drop" (#67), "Aces High" (#78), "Up the Marines!" (#58), "Close Range" (#63), "Bombers Moon" (#72) and "Danger Dives Deep" (#65).
Pocket Libraries
- Commando ComicsCommando ComicsCommando For Action and Adventure, formerly known as Commando War Stories in Pictures, and colloquially known as Commando Comics, are a series of British comic books that primarily draw their themes and backdrops from the various incidents of the World Wars I and II...
(D. C. Thomson) - Published from 1961 to the present. - Air Ace Picture Library (Amalgamated Press/FleetwayFleetwayFleetway, also known as Fleetway Publications and Fleetway Editions, was a UK publishing company which mainly produced comic magazines. For a time owned by IPC Media, they are now a division of Egmont Publishing....
) - Aerial-warfare sister-comic, published between Jan 1960 and Nov 1970 (545 issues), and then incorporated into War Picture Library. - Battle Picture Library (Amalgamated/FleetwayFleetwayFleetway, also known as Fleetway Publications and Fleetway Editions, was a UK publishing company which mainly produced comic magazines. For a time owned by IPC Media, they are now a division of Egmont Publishing....
) - Published between Jan 1961 and Dec 1984 (1706 issues). - Combat Picture Library (GM Smith/Micron Press) - Published between March 1959 and June 1985 (1212 issues).
- Combat Library (GM Smith/Micron Press) - Text stories only. Companion to Combat Picture Library, published between 1959 and 1960 (51 issues)
Other British/War comics
- Battle Picture WeeklyBattle Picture WeeklyBattle Picture Weekly, at various time also known as Battle Action Force, Battle and Battle with Storm Force, was a British war comic published by IPC Magazines from 8 March 1975 to 23 January 1988, when it merged with Eagle...
- Warlord
- Battler Britton, by Garth EnnisGarth EnnisGarth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
- Charley's WarCharley's WarCharley's War was British comic strip written by Pat Mills and drawn by Joe Colquhoun. It was originally published in Battle Picture Weekly from January 1979 to October 1985-Publishing history:...
, by Pat MillsPat MillsPat Mills, nicknamed 'the godfather of British comics', is a comics writer and editor who, along with John Wagner, revitalised British boys comics in the 1970s, and has remained a leading light in British comics ever since.... - Adventures in the Rifle BrigadeAdventures in the Rifle BrigadeAdventures in the Rifle Brigade is the name of two Vertigo comic book limited series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Carlos Ezquerra. The first series, Adventures in the Rifle Brigade, was released in 2000...
, by Garth EnnisGarth EnnisGarth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise... - War StoryWar StoryWar Stories was a comic book series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by a number of artists.-Overview:The series consisted of two, 4-issue mini-series the two series were printed monthly, the first beginning in November 2001 and the second beginning in January 2003.Each mini series consisted...
, by Garth Ennis
Further reading
- Holland, Steve & Roach, David, The FleetwayFleetwayFleetway, also known as Fleetway Publications and Fleetway Editions, was a UK publishing company which mainly produced comic magazines. For a time owned by IPC Media, they are now a division of Egmont Publishing....
Picture Library Index, Volume 1 - The War Libraries (Book Palace Books, 2007) ISBN 978-0-9551596-2-6