Steve Holland at Bear Alley Books has announced that his next collection of classic comics is another DC Thomson-published story, “Frontline UK”, reprinting the complete series from Bullet where it appeared back in 1976.

The original artist was Ian Kennedy, who should need no introduction, but is best known today for his Commando cover work , with a second series — also included in the book — by the hugely talented Clemente Rezzonico, who is now almost eighty but still drawing for Commando. His work also featured in DC Thomson’s  Warlord, where he drew “Spider Wells” and “The Loner” amongst others.

“Frontline UK” is the story of a Scorpion ‘tank’ crew fighting a guerrilla war against invaders on British home soil, a story published some eight months before the appearance of “Invasion” in the launch issue of 2000AD (which Jeremy Briggs notes elsewhere, featured some episodes drawn by Ian).

The story was reprinted, with the in-story date changed, in Buddy in 1983 where it was on the cover four times.

“Ian was so good at drawing the little armoured Scorpion that one even turned up in Emma comic in 1978 when he did an Angie story,” says Jeremy.

“I’ve been hanging onto this news for weeks now, wanting to blurt it out but just managing to hold my tongue,” says Steve of this new project, which follows hot on the heels of the release of another DC Thomson collection, Arena. “I think I let slip to one person… but that person was sworn to secrecy and they didn’t let me down.”

“I’m aiming to have this out on 1st December,” he informs us, “in time for any last-minute Christmas presents you need to buy for your pals.”

Here’s some page from the story by Ian Kennedy (© DC Thomson).

• Buy Arena from Bear Alley Books

• Read Colin Noble’s feature on Arena here on downthetubes

Art © DC Thomson

Art © DC Thomson

Art © DC Thomson

Art © DC Thomson

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.

Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Collections

Tags: Bear Alley Books, Buddy, Bullet, Clemente Rezzonico, DC Thomson, Frontline UK, Ian Kennedy, Jeremy Briggs, Steve Holland