Charley's War (Vol. 5): Return to the Front [Hardcover]

Pat Mills (Author), Joe Colquhoun (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2008

Renowned UK comics writer Pat Mills (Marshal Law, Sláine) and legendary artist Joe Colquhoun (Johnny Red) continue the thrilling, humorous and horrifying story of World War One soldier Charley Bourne.

Returning to the front, Charley is reunited with old comrades Weeper and Old Bill — and, unfortunately, bully Grogan and the vile Lieutenant Snell. As the bullets fly and bombs fall, Charley faces as much danger from his own ranks as from the enemy’s...

Rich in the detailed minutiae of the terror-punctuated existence of a Tommy, this fifth volume of Charley’s War features a brand new introduction and director’s commentary by Pat Mills, plus exclusive bonus content.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Timelessly relevant and well researched, this is a comics classic." - PW "Charley's War is one of the finest, most fondly remembered comic strips ever, a deeply radical, horrific reimagining of WWI." - Uncut"

About the Author

Pat Mills has written countless comics stories, including 2000 AD’s Judge Dredd, Sláine and A.B.C. Warriors, as well as earlier classics like Charley’s War. He also created Marshal Law.
Joe Colquhoun worked on a large volume of titles in his 30 year career in the UK comics industry, including Lion, Champion, Buster and Battle. He is probably best remembered for his work on Battle, including Johnny Red and Charley’s War.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Titan Books (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845767969
• ISBN-13: 978-1845767969
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.6 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #997,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charley's War, November 23, 2008

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charley's War (Vol. 5): Return to the Front (Hardcover)

Charley's War should be required reading. It is, to a literate audience, what Mash is/was to North American readers.

Mills and Colquhoun hit on all cylinders this book as Charley Bourne returns to the front only to find himself working under a cruel and heartless commander. Lieutenant Snell and Charley met the previous year, and it was not a memorable moment. His first impression of Snell as a man after only his own reputation was bang on, and once he is assigned to Charleys' unit, his blatant disregard is obvious. As Charley finds out when two men are killed by a sniper so Snell can have a canteen of water, and men are jailed for drinking without permission, and an old sargeant is disbarred under ridiculous circumstances, the men have little respect for him as well. A well cooked meal of rat (instead of rabbit) goes a long way to dispel a little dismay.

War is hell. This book clearly shows the real side of the war that is not shown, nor discussed. Shell shock, cruel commanders, pranksters who get people killed, and the merciful and obedient who pay the ulitmate price for poor decisions.

Joe Colquhouns' art is spectacular! His portrayal of the trenches and battlefield conditions are apalling at best. If this book were in color, it just might be an EC comic just before they were banned!

Many have said it, and I will do so again. This is a classic, and it should be required reading for students around the world. Going to war is no walk in the park. Troop conditions, especially in WWI, were atrocious. If the Hun didn't get you, the dysentery or conditions would.

Charley's War is amazing. God bless Mills and the late Colquhoun for creating this strip. If it saves one life...

5.0 out of 5 stars charlie's war, February 21, 2009

By 

M. R. Zeier (new plymouth,new zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charley's War (Vol. 5): Return to the Front (Hardcover)

great series of books,brought back memories of the "battle"magazine i used to read growing up in nz in the 70's.charlies war was my favourite,excellent artwork and realistic stories,not glorifiying war in any way,but as it was.

took awile to get here as 1st copy went missing enroute,but well worth the wait.would recommend to anyone interested in ww1 history or comic strips

mike zeier,new plymouth,nz

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely detail makes for an unusually well done, complex story, January 9, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charley's War (Vol. 5): Return to the Front (Hardcover)

UK comics writer Pat Mills and artist Joe Colquhoun provide a fine military graphic novel highly recommended for any military library and many a collection specializing in graphic novels. In 1916 one Charley lies about his age to enlist and flight on the battlefields of France. Recovering after battle, Charley has been resting in the UK and returns to the front lines only to find some of his comrades are as dangerous as the Germans they are fighting. Lovely detail makes for an unusually well done, complex story.