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Charley’s War exhibition continues at Musée de la Grande Guerre

By John Freeman on November 12, 2014

The grand sounding Musée de la Grande Guerre (The Museum of the Great War) in Pays de Meaux, France is hosting an exhibition of art by Joe Colquhoun from the Battle story “Charley’s War” written by Pat Mills until January 2015.

Housing a collection unparalleled anywhere in Europe, the museum offers a new vision of World War One, through innovative scenography illustrating the great changes and upheavals in society that resulted from it. A remarkable heritage to be handed on to future generations, the museum offers a vision of’ history and society to help learn of past hardships, better understand present-day society and build tomorrow’s world.

“Charley’s War: An English Representation of the Great War” features art from on loan from the Colquhoun estate in a story following the young Charley Bourne, a tommy who finds himself confronted with the hell of trench warfare. The exhibition, which is the first ever display of art from the strip in France, launched in October to tie in with the French release of Charley’s War Volume Seven: The Great Mutiny by Delirium, which features an exclusive introduction by Jacques Tardi.

Of note to “Charley’s War” fans is that the Museum is selling a limited edition, 500-piece portfolio of art from “Charley’s War”: 10 superb reproductions of original drawings at A3 size, the choices selected in partnership with the magazine Guerres & Histoires et le Musée de La Grande Guerre de Meaux by Jean Lopez, editor of the magazine, and Michel Rouger, director of the Museum, who also signed the introductory texts.

• “Charley’s War: An English Representation of the Great War” is at the Musée de la Grande Guerre du Pays de Meaux, Rue Lazare Ponticelli 77100 Meaux France until 4th January 2015. Web (available in English): www.museedelagrandeguerre.eu/en

• The Great War in Comics exhibition featuring art from the strip continues at the Abbot Hall Gallery, Kendal until 6th December. Another exhibition of special prints is running at Plymouth University until 14th November (see news story). There is a permanent display of “Charley’s War” art at the Tank Museum, Bovington

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.