Gott im Himmel...ARRGH! Commando comics; aren't they great?
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Gott im Himmel...ARRGH! Commando comics; aren't they great?
My neighbour's son has lent me an omnibus edition of Commando comics in return for the loan of a few Biggles books.
I read Commando comics when I was young. Re-reading them has enhanced their appeal: well-drawn and well-written. The ejaculations - in a literary sense- of those in combat are fantastic (I seek not to trivialise the horrible facts of war but for a comic...).
Anyone else like them?
I read Commando comics when I was young. Re-reading them has enhanced their appeal: well-drawn and well-written. The ejaculations - in a literary sense- of those in combat are fantastic (I seek not to trivialise the horrible facts of war but for a comic...).
Anyone else like them?
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When I went back to my Mother's recently. There was a bag of them waiting for me, which she had dug out of somewhere. She assumed they were mine but actually were my brother's and included some 2000AD comics too. I grabbed them before he found out and spent a few happy hours reliving my childhood.
Now I have to hide them again until my son is old enough to read them.
Now I have to hide them again until my son is old enough to read them.
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A really enjoyable retro-read is Private Eye's "Battle for Britain", published as an Eye strip in the 80's and subsequently as a book.
Featured all the politicos of the day--Maggie, Kinnochio etc. as characters in a "Battler Brittain" style comic strip, with lots of "Take that,squarehead!" and "Teufel!"
It followed the current political events in that style, lampooning everyone, including "Admiral Grosser Heath", "Michael Hesselschwein" Doc "Killer" Owen and Normo Tebbs as a sinister SS General--absolutely hilarious and highly recommended.
Featured all the politicos of the day--Maggie, Kinnochio etc. as characters in a "Battler Brittain" style comic strip, with lots of "Take that,squarehead!" and "Teufel!"
It followed the current political events in that style, lampooning everyone, including "Admiral Grosser Heath", "Michael Hesselschwein" Doc "Killer" Owen and Normo Tebbs as a sinister SS General--absolutely hilarious and highly recommended.
Amazing how those German Ack-Ack Gunners still managed to cry 'Arghh!', despite their torso being penetrated right through by four 20 mm Cannon shells, usually from a Mossie in a shallow dive on his position... 
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There were some quality lines perpetuated in the Commando comics that I enjoyed as a kid. The two that spring to mind are:
"Die Tommy Englander!"
and my favourite:
"Eat lead Fritz!"
"Die Tommy Englander!"
and my favourite:
"Eat lead Fritz!"
They were very much en vogue about the time I joined the Army. Often referred to as 'Training Manuals'.
'Commando Mags' OTOH, was a euphemism for something else entirely, involving manoeuvres with, mainly, Scandinavian blondes.
'Commando Mags' OTOH, was a euphemism for something else entirely, involving manoeuvres with, mainly, Scandinavian blondes.
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Bus429, Are you aware that some of the W.E Johns Biggles Books are worth a small fortune.
Especially the very early/1st editions some by Dean & Son London.
Just so you know to get them back.
Especially the very early/1st editions some by Dean & Son London.
Just so you know to get them back.
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BYALPHA,
I have many old hardbacks including Biggles Goes to School and Pioneer Air Fighter. Also got Biggles and the Black Peril in which he meets Ginger. The copy I lent the lad was an omnibus from the late 80s.
Back to Commando: why does the enemy speak English among themselves except in stressful circumstances? "Attack the British Tommies...Teufel...ARGH!" (not sure I've spelt Teufel correctly).
I've also picked up that an not-so-serious injury is indicated by "AAHH!" whereas full-on meet-your-maker is associated with "ARGH!"
I have many old hardbacks including Biggles Goes to School and Pioneer Air Fighter. Also got Biggles and the Black Peril in which he meets Ginger. The copy I lent the lad was an omnibus from the late 80s.
Back to Commando: why does the enemy speak English among themselves except in stressful circumstances? "Attack the British Tommies...Teufel...ARGH!" (not sure I've spelt Teufel correctly).
I've also picked up that an not-so-serious injury is indicated by "AAHH!" whereas full-on meet-your-maker is associated with "ARGH!"
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I didn't think modern day "kids" ensconsed in society's cotton wool and political correctness, would be permitted exposure to such soul demoralising material ? For heavens sake, we can't expose our youth to the dangers of moral corruption !
Even more so, it would be a shambles if the kids of today were actually allowed to read a printed book and could actually learn to communicate using more than a shy grunt and one syllable ! I guess txt/sms language is okay and it will get them through life
?
On a more positive note: glad to see the old "Commando" comics back in circulation again. I loved them as a kid and appreciate them even more now. Guess what? when I read these as a kid/teenager - at no stage did I feel the need to want to go and slaughter thousands in some far away land in the mistaken belief that it would present me with some great adventure! No, my sanity and mental integrity remained firmly intact. I didn't need some 'leftie' do-gooder to shepherd me in life.
Infact, the comics actually encouraged me to run away and learn some German off my own back !
It's all good. I suggest all kids and teenagers should learn to read first; understand the basics of English grammar and go get yourselves a 'Commando' comic. Who knows, you might actually enjoy the experience !?
One pointer though and it is a downside to reading: you may actually have to turn your mobile phone off for longer than 30 minutes ! I know it's kind of harsh - but I am sure there are counsellors' available for just this sort of event.
And be aware of the content in these comics: there are actually occasions where you may see a character actually telling other characters what to do. Yes, I know it may come as shock and you might need to prepare yourselves for such an eventuality; however, as unbelievable as it may seem - there once was an era where a person in authroity or command actually gave direction to their subordinates and siblings. Even more drastic, is the fact that said subordinates and siblings actually complied and did what they were told without any 'attitude' ! And guess what? The World was actually a much more harmonious and 'nicer' place to live in.
Good old 'Commando' comics. What will it be next: Leggo sets? Airfix Models? Apple IIe ?
Even more so, it would be a shambles if the kids of today were actually allowed to read a printed book and could actually learn to communicate using more than a shy grunt and one syllable ! I guess txt/sms language is okay and it will get them through life
?On a more positive note: glad to see the old "Commando" comics back in circulation again. I loved them as a kid and appreciate them even more now. Guess what? when I read these as a kid/teenager - at no stage did I feel the need to want to go and slaughter thousands in some far away land in the mistaken belief that it would present me with some great adventure! No, my sanity and mental integrity remained firmly intact. I didn't need some 'leftie' do-gooder to shepherd me in life.
Infact, the comics actually encouraged me to run away and learn some German off my own back !
It's all good. I suggest all kids and teenagers should learn to read first; understand the basics of English grammar and go get yourselves a 'Commando' comic. Who knows, you might actually enjoy the experience !?
One pointer though and it is a downside to reading: you may actually have to turn your mobile phone off for longer than 30 minutes ! I know it's kind of harsh - but I am sure there are counsellors' available for just this sort of event.
And be aware of the content in these comics: there are actually occasions where you may see a character actually telling other characters what to do. Yes, I know it may come as shock and you might need to prepare yourselves for such an eventuality; however, as unbelievable as it may seem - there once was an era where a person in authroity or command actually gave direction to their subordinates and siblings. Even more drastic, is the fact that said subordinates and siblings actually complied and did what they were told without any 'attitude' ! And guess what? The World was actually a much more harmonious and 'nicer' place to live in.
Good old 'Commando' comics. What will it be next: Leggo sets? Airfix Models? Apple IIe ?
I didn't need some 'leftie' do-gooder to shepherd me in life
My politics (which would tend towards Mikhail Bakunin) may be termed 'left' but the people who go in for extreme PC BS are not Lefties or Do -gooders.
I loved the Commando stuff - most of the stories were about courage & overcoming odds to win for the right cause. I also loved 'Battle' comic - Charlies War is a classic.
The people (they are few but loud) who complain about these things are usually bigots, poorly read and willfully ignorant - looking for easy targets rather than dealing with real issues.
I was given a link to Battle Summer Specials a few weeks ago - I did no work for a day (or 3) - just rereading them took me back to my childhood and comics which contained so many messages - not just blood lust n war.
In fact - not even blood lust n war.
Mikhail Bakunin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So it's about French commandos? Otherwise, why is he crying in the above post? 
Another amusing side effect of comics and video games is the language as seen above. I speak great game/comic German. Now I'm learning Russian.
Another amusing side effect of comics and video games is the language as seen above. I speak great game/comic German. Now I'm learning Russian.
Before music caught my ear, Commando comics were all I used to spend my pocket money on. A certain Wing Commander Britton, known as "Battler" is a character that I can recall who seemed to pop up in various titles flying everything that Bomber and Fighter Command had to offer. Anyone else remember him? The "War Picture Library" was a similar series of books and just as good.
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I seem to remember one Battler Briton episode where he managed the unlikely feat of flying a Horsa (or similar) glider from occupied Europe to Blighty by managing, completely unnoticed, to hook a loop of his towrope round the fin of a He 111 departing to partake in the Blitz. Said fin conveniently suffered terminal metal fatigue once over the Home Counties, leaving Battler to pull off a neat landing......................even at the age of 10 I thought it was a little far fetched.
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Quote
I have many old hardbacks including Biggles Goes to School and Pioneer Air Fighter. Also got Biggles and the Black Peril in which he meets Ginger. The copy I lent the lad was an omnibus from the late 80s.
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The Black Peril 1st edition is worth a bit.
I have many old hardbacks including Biggles Goes to School and Pioneer Air Fighter. Also got Biggles and the Black Peril in which he meets Ginger. The copy I lent the lad was an omnibus from the late 80s.
Reply
The Black Peril 1st edition is worth a bit.
Anyone else here remember the NBC manual in the 70s/80s called 'Survive to Fight'. The powers that be had it written in the style of a Commando comic so that Squaddies (who were obviously raised on such literature) would be more inclined to read it.
Although I don't remember if the soldier injecting himself with his atropine autoject said "Aagh" as the needle went in.
Although I don't remember if the soldier injecting himself with his atropine autoject said "Aagh" as the needle went in.
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Speaking of 'serious' manuals written in an amusing way, does ' Feedback ' still exist ?
That was a safety bulletin written in a deliberately amusing way - it worked, people remembered examples far better than if delivered in some dry notice.
One of my favourites was a ' Birdstrike' - where a squaddie on the ground had been K'O'd by a frozen chicken falling from a helo' cargo net !
That was a safety bulletin written in a deliberately amusing way - it worked, people remembered examples far better than if delivered in some dry notice.
One of my favourites was a ' Birdstrike' - where a squaddie on the ground had been K'O'd by a frozen chicken falling from a helo' cargo net !
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Anyone else here remember the NBC manual in the 70s/80s called 'Survive to Fight'. The powers that be had it written in the style of a Commando comic so that Squaddies (who were obviously raised on such literature) would be more inclined to read it.
Although I don't remember if the soldier injecting himself with his atropine autoject said "Aagh" as the needle went in.
Although I don't remember if the soldier injecting himself with his atropine autoject said "Aagh" as the needle went in.
(BTW.. Wasn`t it a "monojet" of atropine?
)
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Achtung Spitfire !!
Many a weekend was spent reading a good old Commando Book, There was an alternative called Battle Library but this was not as good as Commando.
It was amazing how many story lines included the tale of
a) The hero did something wrong at the start of the story but in the end it all went well if he bombed the target or died on the job !!
b ) His long lost brother is found on the same squadron / ship.
Another classic that was good around 25 years ago was Warlord Comics !!
It was amazing how many story lines included the tale of
a) The hero did something wrong at the start of the story but in the end it all went well if he bombed the target or died on the job !!
b ) His long lost brother is found on the same squadron / ship.
Another classic that was good around 25 years ago was Warlord Comics !!