Rebellion have revealed details of their limited special edition editions of their three “Charley’s War” collections, the first due for release on 17th April.

As we’ve previously reported, the publishers of 2000AD, now own most of the strip’s first published in Battle Picture Weekly/ Battle (bar, presumably, those published in later issues, those under license).

They’ve chosen to publish the entire original series of the critically acclaimed “Charley’s War” by Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun in three omnibus editions, focusing on the strips themselves, rather than taking Titan Books approach in their collections which also put the strips into historical context.

Unlike the Titan editions, these releases will include the pages first published in colour, making them a definitive edition, and feature pages scanned from surviving art, not available to Titan when it first began publishing its collections.

The limited edition releases of the extraordinary World War One and post War tale are available to order, along with a limited bundle edition of all three volumes, on the Treasury of British Comics section of the 2000AD online store.

There are no plans to republish the unfinished World War Two Charley’s War series written by Scott Goodall MBE, also drawn by Joe Colquhoun.

For much more about “Charley’s War”, including interviews with Pat Mills, Joe Colquhoun’s only interview about the project, a series timeline and much more, please visit the downthetubes “Charley’s War” micro site first created by the late Neil Emery.

Charley’s War Bookplate Edition – Volume One

Considered by many as the most important war story to appear in comics, “Charley’s War” follows the working class Charley Bourne who eagerly signs up to fight on the Western front in 1916. The idealistic sixteen-year-old experiences a hellish world of trench warfare where every day is a bitter fight for survival. Charley and his friends soon realise they have been thrust into a conflict where ordinary people are expected to throw away their lives to serve the selfish interests of those in power.

Written by British comics legend Pat Mills and featuring the breathtaking artwork of Joe Colquhoun, this first volume of Charley’s War includes Charley’s harrowing participation in one of the bloodiest encounters in human history – The Battle of the Somme.

• Volume One bookplate edition (limited to 150 copies) – with a bookplate signed by Pat Mills can be found here

Charley’s War Bookplate Edition – Volume Two

After being injured in The Battle of the Somme, Charley meets Blue in London – a deserter from the French Foreign Legion – who tells of his brutal experiences at the Battle of Verdun. Charley returns to the front line at Ypres where the threat from the German army is matched only by the inhumanity of his superiors! In the face of suffering and injustice, seeds of mutiny begin to grow among the ranks…

This second volume of Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun’s masterpiece, due for release on 15th May, continues to tell the story of an ordinary soldier’s experiences in World War One, including vibrant remastered colour pages from the original artwork.

• Volume 2 bookplate edition (limited to 150 copies) – with a bookplate signed by Pat Mills can be found here

Charley’s War Bookplate Edition – Volume Three

After killing former comrades as part of a firing squad, Charley has joined the Stretcher Bearers in an attempt to save lives rather than take them. But he soon finds himself back behind a rifle reunited with ‘The Scholar’ as his new officer, while an entrenched group of German soldiers engage them in a sniper stand-off! Meanwhile Charley’s younger brother Wilf has his own struggles in the skies, as an observer with the Royal Flying Corps.

Charley’s adventures take him through the final months of the War in Europe to the cold land of Russia, under the orders of his unjust superiors and their corrupt interests…

This final volume, due for release 12th June 2018, concludes Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun’s anti-war epic, a monument to the power of comics

• Volume 3 bookplate edition (limited to 150 copies) – with a bookplate signed by Pat Mills can be found here

Charley’s War Bookplate Edition – Bundle

All three volumes of Charley’s War at a discounted price with free shipping in the UK. Each book will be posted out upon its release, Volume 1 on the 17th April, Volume 2 on the 15th May and Volume 3 on the 12th June.

• The complete set of all 3 volumes – priced at £50 – can be purchased here

• For much more about “Charley’s War”, including interviews with Pat Mills, Joe Colquhoun’s only interview about the project, a series timeline and much more, please visit the downthetubes “Charley’s War” micro site first created by the late Neil Emery

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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, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News

Tags: Battle Picture Weekly, Charley's War, downthetubes News, Joe Colquhoun, Pat Mills, Rebellion, Rebellion, War Comics