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In pictures: Battle comic returns

This article is more than 16 years old

A series of images from the children's comic Battle - including strips Hellman, Major Eazy and Johnny Red - ahead of the title's return with a one-off special

Mon 29 Jun 2009 14.10 BST

Battle magazine — You could tell the intensity of the action in Battle by the number of exclamation marks. This issue was explosive - but not too explosive - with a middle ranking four on the cover. Rat Pack, the Sarge, Hellman, Major Eazy ... it's like the list of friends on my Facebook page.The first issue had some free second world war combat stickersPhotograph: Egmont UK
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Battle magazine — D-Day Dawson had nothing to lose after doctors told him he had a bullet lodged next to his heart. It was inoperable, and it was eventually going to kill him. So Dawson turned back into the heat of the battle to do his bit for his country before the inevitable. One of my favourites, I seem to remember. 'Watch out, lads! Stick grenade!' Dawson swung his butt like lightning. 'Have it right back, jerry!' 'Ahhhh!'Photograph: Egmont UK
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Battle magazine — TheRat Pack was a bit like Battle's version of the Dirty Dozen, except there were only five of them, led by Special Services Commando Major Taggart. There was strongman Kabul Hasan, court martialled for attacking officers in a fit of rage; Ian 'Scarface' Rogan, the brilliant athlete who was sent down for 15 years for desertion; Matthew Dancer, deady with a knife but with an unfortunate penchant for looting and a curious resemblance to one of the chaps out of Sparks; and Ronald Weasel, robber, safebreaker, and with a rather weak chin. My favourite: the WeaselPhotograph: Egmont UK
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Battle magazine — He wanted to be a marine, except he didn't quite measure up. A bit like Prince Edward then. Except this was the Bootneck Boy, who battled to come a marine against the oddsPhotograph: Egmont UK
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Battle magazine — Ah, I loved Major Eazy, the British officer unlike any other! He also looked a bit like James Coburn. Here's a typical Eazy exchange: 'The name's Eazy, Chromedome, Major Eazy, 8th Army. Now you tell me what special operation commandos are doing in a German Tiger Tank, and make it good!' 'We don't have to tell you ...' 'Wrong answer, Ratface!' 'Yeeaagh!'Photograph: Egmont UK
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Battle magazine — 'Each war has two sides ... and each side has its heroes!'Major Kurt Hellman was a German tank commander, except he didn't have much time for the Nazis or the SS and frequently went against their orders. Told to fire on a defenceless regiment of Polish cavalry, Hellman tells his troops: 'Ignore that order ... we're not taking part in a one-sided bloodbath.' Go, Hellman! Sort of.Photograph: Egmont UK
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Battle magazine — Johnny Red was dishonourably discharged from the RAF for striking an officer while he was still an air cadet. It's a long story - trust me - but he ended up flying with the Russian air force instead. Hence the nickname. Plus his surname was already Redburn. Of such coincidences are comic strips bornPhotograph: Egmont UK
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Battle magazine — You didn't mess with the Sarge. You just didn't. He was the first world war veteran leading a bunch of rookies into battle, and always coming out on top. The glow from his ever-present pipe could prove tricky on night manoeuvres, howeverPhotograph: Egmont UK
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