Johnny Red Comic Part One: 26

The JOHNNY RED strips appeared in BATTLE PICTURE WEEKLY, which was known for its hard-hitting storylines with moving and graphic accounts of the two World Wars.

The artist, Joe Colquhoun served in the Royal Navy during World War II. He was the first artist to draw ROY OF THE ROVERS and is best remembered for his work on CHARLEY'S WAR. The writer, Tom Tully, was also the principal writer on STEEL CLAW and KELLY'S EYE for VALIANT, as well as working on HARLEM HEROES and MEAN ARENA for 2000 AD.

This comic volume, JOHNNY RED PART 1 tells the story of RAF pilot John Redburn from Liverpool. Following an unjust court martial, he's dishonourably discharged from the service and takes a job on a Merchant Navy supply ship. When the convoy is hit by enemy aircraft, which kills the pilot of the catapult-launched Hurricane on the vessel, Redburn takes his place to give air support to the remaining ships. Low on fuel, he lands on Russian soil, where he meets the Falcon Squadron.

Published by Egmont UK, who look after a rich archive of classic comic materials including ROY OF THE ROVERS, BATTLE, WHIZZER AND CHIPS, MISTY and TAMMY. Further titles are being launched as part of a digital publishing programme from Egmont.

www.egmont.co.uk