Battle’s “Rat Pack” guest star in final issue of Rebellion’s Sniper Elite Resistance mini series!

Sniper Elite: Resistance #3 cover B  by Carlos Ezquerra

Sniper Elite: Resistance #3 cover B  by Carlos Ezquerra

Back in May, we reported 2000AD publisher Rebellion’s plans for Sniper Elite Resistance, a three-issue mini-series based on their games division’s bestselling World War Two game Sniper Elite, but for British war comic fans there’s now another reason to pick it up from comic shops… the “Rat Pack“, from Battle, are to guest star.

Debuting 29th August and on sale in comic chops and UK newsagents, Sniper Elite Resistance, written by Keith Richardson with art by Patrick Goddard 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.

After editing 2000AD’s graphic novels line for several years, Sniper Elite is Keith Richardson’s first major published work.

Patrick Goddard has been drawing comics professionally for almost twenty years, predominantly for 2000AD, drawing strips such as “Judge Dredd”, “Judge Anderson”, “Sinister Dexter”, “Grey Area”, “Aquila” and, most famously, “Savage” for the last ten years. He has a traditional comic style with strong storytelling and figure work. In recent years he has also worked with the BBC costume department drawing out their costume designs for Doctor Who.

The first issue will have two variant covers by 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.

Sniper Elite Resistance #1 Ashcan

Popoular at San Diego Comic Con: the Sniper Elite Resistance #1 Ashcan. Image: Rebellion

An ashcan of Sniper Elite Resistance #1 disappeared like hot cakes from the 2000AD table at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, which isn’t that surprising given the game’s Twitter account has over 15,000 followers.

But as icing on the cake, the third issue features a guest appearance by the “Rat Pack”, the criminal commandos created by Gerry Finley-Day and Carlos Ezquerra who appeared in the very first Battle Picture Weekly when it launched in March 1974.

The opening page of the very first “Rat Pack” story, published in Battle Picture Weekly in March 1974 (With thanks to Lew Stringer)

The opening page of the very first “Rat Pack” story, published in Battle Picture Weekly in March 1974 (With thanks to Lew Stringer)

The strip quickly established itself as a staple part of the title, going on to be written and drawn by a variety of creators across its long run.

This guest appearance will be great news for fans of the long-running Battle comic, since if this new book is a success, aimed as it is at the huge audience for the Sniper Elite game, who else might appear in future series. Major Eazy? Hellman of Hammer Force?

Here are the details of all three issues, 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 A

Sniper Elite Resistance #1 Cover B

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

Read the downthetubes review of Sniper Elite: Resistance #1

Sniper Elite Resistance #1 Cover - Forbidden Planet Variant

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 A

Sniper Elite Resistance #2 Cover B

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

Sniper Elite Resistance #3 Covers

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

Web Links

• 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)

[amazon_link asins=’1781086591,1848560354,B071P1RK18′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’downthetubes’ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’d62bfeb3-9162-11e8-895d-9d8275a57811′]

With thanks to David McDonald of Hibernia Comics



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