In Review: Sniper Elite: Resistance #1

By John Freeman on August 26, 2018

Writer: Keith Richardson
Art: Patrick Goddard
Colour: Quinton Winter
Letters: Jim Campbell
Out: 29th August 2018 in comic shops and UK newsagents, digital platforms

The first issue will have two variant covers by Patrick Goddard and Sniper Elite game artist Edouard Groult, and Forbidden Planet has also revealed an Ian Kennedy variant exclusive to its stores, tying in with a signing for the title at the London Megastore on 3rd September.

The Book: Based on the smash hit first person shooter game from Rebellion, Sniper Elite Resistance sees Allied hero and elite marksman Karl Fairburne parachute into the occupied French town of Angouleme in a bid to stop the shipment of a new German anti-aircraft weapon. However, he soon learns the situation is more complex and dangerous than he could ever have imagined…

The Review: If you’re looking for all-out action set in World War Two, blended with an unhealthy dose of behind-the-lines treachery and deceit, tipping hats in terms of style to classic British war comics such as Battle and Warlord – well, Sniper Elite: Resistance should be right up your street.

With branding that includes the British Battle comic logo (hopefully hinting at wider publishing plans under the same banner), unlike the recently-released The Vigilant, #1 of Sniper: Elite Resistance has a firm focus on just one character, and is all the better for this, giving the reader time to discover the sharp-shooting character against the background of a dangerous mission in Nazi-occupied war torn France.

The story not only has great art from Patrick Goddard (best known, perhaps, for his work on 2000AD‘s “Savage” strip), it’s complemented perfectly by some great colour work by Quinton Winter (whose work some may know from the Eisner Award nominated Clean Room from Vertigo Comics).

Keith Richardson‘s script – his first full length comic story – rattles along at a cracking pace from the get go, with a couple of flashback sequences to establish the mission and deliver some background to Karl Fairburne’s origins.

It’s not the most complex story, but what we’re after here is a cracking action story, and we get that in full, with a cliffhanger pulled right from boy’s war comics weeklies, and, as you may already know, a guest appearance to come that makes this three-issue mini-series al the more worth picking up.

A splendid romp, basically, that will not only appeal to classic war comic fans but those who enjoy Garth Ennis war tales, too – and with a huge Sniper Elite game audience out there let’s hope it’s a deserved success.

• Join Patrick Goddard and Keith Richardson signing Sniper Elite #1 on Saturday 1st September from 1.00 – 2.00pm at the Forbidden Planet Megastore in London

• Find Sniper Elite Resistance on the Forbidden Planet web site (Using this link helps support downthetubes)

• Here are the details of all three issues of Sniper Elite, available to order from your local comic shop. We’ve included the Diamond order codes below.

Sniper Elite Resistance #1

Writer: Keith Richardson Artist/ Cover Artists: Patrick Goddard/ Edward Groult

Sniper Elite Resistance #1 Cover A

Sniper Elite Resistance #1 Cover B

Based on the global bestselling Rebellion videogame, Sniper Elite: Resistance comes this adrenaline-fuelled thrill-ride three-issue combat mini-series

Occupied France: Allied SOE hero Karl Fairburne parachutes into Angouleme in a bid to stop the shipment of a new German anti-aircraft weapon.

In Comic Shops: 29th August 2018
Cover A Diamond Order Code JUN181949
Cover B Diamond Order Code JUN181949

Sniper Elite Resistance #1 Cover – Forbidden Planet Variant

Forbidden Planet is offering an exclusive variant cover by Ian Kennedy which you can pre-order here

Sniper Elite Resistance #2
Writer: Keith Richardson Artist/ Cover Artists: Patrick Goddard/ Colin Wilson

Sniper Elite Resistance #2 Cover A

Sniper Elite Resistance #2 Cover B

Karl Fairburne becomes caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse as he’s hunted through the streets of Occupied Angouleme by the Nazis. With just one bullet to save him, can he escape?

In Comic Shops: 26th September 2018
Cover A Diamond Order Code JUL182104
Cover B Diamond Order Code JUL182105

Sniper Elite Resistance #3
Writer: Keith Richardson Artist/ Cover Artists: Patrick Goddard/ Carlos Ezquerra

Guest-starring Rat Pack from Battle comic – read our news story here

Sniper Elite: Resistance #3 cover B by Carlos Ezquerra

Karl Fairburne must escape Occupied Angouleme, and he find support comes from a very unexpected source!

In Comic Shops: 24th October 2018
Cover A Diamond Order Code AUG182155
Cover B Diamond Order Code AUG182156

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John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.