The Book: Reprinting the “Combat Colin” stories from The Transformers Nos. 257 to 283, Combat Colin No.4 brings you fast-paced comedy-action that takes place beneath the sea, on Mars, in the Prehistoric past and in Colin’s home town of Wallytown!
Plus, it’s time to meet Combat Kate… is she friend or foe?
There’s only one way to find out, in another 32-page edition that includes Lew’s personal recollections of how the 1960s weekly SF comic TV Century 21 inspired him to draw.
The Review: The strips in the latest Combat Colin collection were first published in Marvel UK’s Transformers comic while I was working for the company as editor of Doctor Who Magazine. I know this will sound like something of a travesty for fans of the Autobots and Deceptions, but I have to confess that reading this latest collection of Combat Colin, this bonkers strip was the first thing I turned to in the comic, when new issues circulated in the offices.
There are a number of strips and elements to this edition that spark a number of memories for me, particularly the Combat Colin and Semi-Automatic Steve finger puppets that dominate one episode; and Lew Stringer’s glorious fourth wall breakouts that are sprinkled throughout.

Two great panels from different “Combat Colin” stories in Combat Colin No.4, one jabbing a fork at gutter press journalism, the other breaking the fourth wall in style
Add in some wonderful homage to 1960s Marvel classic comics – Jack Kirby’s photo montages from Fantastic Four spring to mind, with a splash of Jim Steranko homage, too – plus a nod to The Prisoner, to boot, and what do you have? A fabulously silly and thoroughly enjoyable comic, that’s what.

Psychedelic Combat Colin!
Plus, we get Combat Kate, too, and what a great addition to the “Lewniverse” she is.
With a mix of one-off gag strips and multi-episode stories, if you’ve bought and enjoyed the first three Combat Colin collections, then you know what to expect from this humour comic.
If you haven’t bought the first three Combat Colin collections, then what’s keeping you?
Just like the first three issues of the classic strip, Combat Colin No.4 is great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the issue. Do check it out on Lew’s official site, or buy it from him direct at one of his many convention appearances… including London Film and Comic Con this weekend!
• Buy Combat Colin here, and other “Lewniverse” titles
• Read our review of Combat Colin #1
• Read our review of Combat Colin #2
• Read our review of Combat Colin #3
Combat Colin © Lew Stringer
- About the Author
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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, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Reviews