The latest issue of Battling Britons (Issue 8) is available now, offering its usual mix of war comics-focused features – and, we hope, it won’t be the last.
I say that because in his editorial this issue, publisher and editor Justin Marriott reveals he originally planned for Battling Britons to run for just nine issues – but the enthusiasm and contributions of others to the title has persuaded him to continue, each issue seeming to pack all the more in as it continues.
This issue is no exception, an edition that includes contributions from two Commando writers, international bestselling author James Swallow and Roy Rivett, Jim interviewed about his work for the title, Roy writing about his approach to scripting his stories, which began with plenty of pitches and many polite “Nos” from then Commando editor George Low; and several articles by Justin on a variety of war comic strips, and providing features on two great comic artists, Denis McLoughlin (“The Man Who Could Draw Everything”) and John Ridgway (“The Way of the Warrior”).
As we’ve said before, back in 2021, when he launched Battling Britons, publisher and editor Justin Marriott, who also publishes titles such as the now ended Paperback Fanatic, and other titles including Men of Violence, Hot Lead and The Sleazy Reader, told us he didn’t actually set out to produce this publication. But I’m still very glad he did, because it continues to prove to be an indispensable guide for British war comics fans.
Battling Britons independence lends itself perfectly to constructive analysis of war comics past an present; not pulling punches when noting the difficulties some have had delivering maritime conflict in strips such as Battle‘s “Sea Wolf“, of fighting shy of critique of newer, more recently published stories.
I’m also glad to see coverage of comics from beyond the mainstream, such as a feature on the war-and-horror graphic novel hybrid, The Passenger of the U-977 by Carlos Barocelli and Rodolfo Santullo, published recently by the award-winning UK indie publisher Afterlight Comics. It’s coverage like this that helps, hopefully, encourage sales. (Check that comic out here). The same goes for James Swallow’s feature on the manga, The Silent Service. Good to see manga marine action rubbing shoulders with more familiar fare.
A special shout out, too for Jim O’Brien‘s informative feature on the late Jim Watson, a brilliant artist whose work delighted me back in TV21, before finding his work in Battle, much later. Jim provides a welcome overview of Jim’s varied career. A tip of the hat, too, to his guide to “Dad’s Army” in TV Comic and TV Action – humour strips often overlooked in zines such as this, but not here.
Superbly designed, an enjoyable read, minor typos forgivable (“Captain Scarlett”?), Battling Britons continues its welcome mission to inform, entertain and enlighten. More, please.
John Freeman
• Check out Battling Britons on Amazon (Affiliate Link)
• Battling Britons Issue 8 is available here from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
100 pages, full-colour. Articles include:
- Justin Marriott on Battle‘s “U-Boat” strip, “Sea Wolf”
- Justin Marriott on “The Hurricane Commando”
- Jim O’Brien on “Passenger of the U-977”
- Jim O’Brien on Jim Watson’s art for Battle
- Steve Myall on night-time bombing missions
- Justin Marriott on the American Civil War in Commando
- Jim O’Brien on “Dad’s Army” in comics
- James Swallow on his script work for Commando scripts
- James Swallow on submarine magna The Silent Service
- Justin Marriott on artist Denis McLoughlin’s work
- Justin Marriott on pocket books set in Crete
- Roy Rivett on his journey to becoming a Commando scripter
- Phil Cross on wrong ‘uns in Picture Libraries
- Justin Marriott on Major Eazy on Crete
- Jim O’Brien on John Ridgway and war comics
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
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