BRITISH PICTURE LIBRARIES

British Comics Homepage

 

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Updated: 21st November 2024

Pocket Libraries have been published since the 19th Century.

They were generally condensed editions of weekly story papers.

This site deals with British Picture Libraries since the late 1950's.

British Picture Libraries: (and there were many publications), were around 7 inches in height.

and around 5 inches in width and contained around 60 plus pages.

 

They were created for the older reader with such titles as:

Air Ace Picture Library, Battle Picture Library, Combat Picture Library, Cowboy Picture Library,

Eagle Picture Library, Lion Picture Library, Secret Agent Picture Library, Space Picture Library,

Starblazer, Super Detective Picture Library, Thriller Picture Library, Valiant Picture Library,

War Picture Library, War at Sea Picture Library, Wild West Picture Library etc…

To see some of the various titles Click here.

COMMANDO COMIC  has now been in publication for over 60 years and since 1971 there were 8 issues per month, now Commando is released fortnightly.

 

LATEST COMMANDO TITLES

ON SALE NOW!

ON SALE NOW!

ON SALE NOW!

ON SALE NOW!

5803

CODENAME WARLORD – HIT PIECE

21st November 2024

5804 (534/1563)

THE SPY THAT NEVER WAS

21st November 2024

5805

TOMASZ AND THE RETURN JOURNEY

21st November 2024

5806 (1632)

THE CAVES OF HERCULES

21st November 2024

THE HOME OF HEROES

THE GOLD COLLECTION

FOR ACTION AND ADVENTURE

THE SILVER COLLECTION

Lord Peter Flint – otherwise known as codename: Warlord – always relied on his cowardly persona to ensure no-one suspected him of being one of Britain’s top secret agents! So when a society journalist tried to write a character assassination hit piece on him, that was the least of Flint’s worries. His top priority was stopping a cell of hitmen from completing an actual assassination plot and halting the Italian invasion of Monte Carlo at the same time!

It’s all in a day’s work for Warlord!

 

When you find two men, one unconscious, handcuffed together and in the middle of the desert, you want to know what’s going on. And when one says he’s a Military Police Sergeant taking a suspected spy to stand trial, it sounds as a fair enough answer.

But when the other guy tells you that the Sergeant is really the spy – which do you believe?

 

That was the question facing Corporal Jack Wills – and an awful lot of men’s lives depended on him getting the right answer.

Scotland, 1940. Polish corporal, Tomasz Zielinski, has never been one to suffer bullies lightly. Now though, his hot-headedness has landed him in a glasshouse. When a mysterious message arrives in his cell, an opportunity for freedom arises.

 

Little does Tomasz know, his superiors have mush bigger plans for him. His skills as a soldier are needed elsewhere. The time has come for him to return home.

On the island of Sicily, there was a secret cave – the Cave of Hercules. Hidden for centuries, it was rumoured to contain treasure beyond price. And now one man, Horace Gee, had cracked the ancient clues and worked out just exactly where it must be.

 

But there was one big snag – the cave was in enemy-held territory and Horace was a sailor, unlikely to go ashore with the troops. However, where a chap like Horace was concerned you could never be sure what was going to happen next!

Author: Dominic Teague

Author:  Skentleberry

Author: Colin Maxwell

Author: Roger Sanderson

Art: Carlos Pino

Art: Adolfo Usero

Art: Manuel Benet Blanes

Art: Felix Carrion

Cover:  Carlos Pino

Cover:  Jordi Bosch Penalva

Cover:  Manuel Benet Blanes

Cover:  Jeff Bevan

Next Issue: 5th December 2024

COMMANDO COVER IMAGES

Commando 2021

Commando 2022

Commando 2023

Commando 2024

Commando 2017

Commando 2018

Commando 2019

Commando 2020

Commando 2013

Commando 2014

Commando 2015

Commando 2016

Commando 2009

Commando 2010

Commando 2011

Commando 2012

Commando 2005

Commando 2006

Commando 2007

Commando 2008

Commando 2001

Commando 2002

Commando 2003

Commando 2004

Commando 1997

Commando 1998

Commando 1999

Commando 2000

Commando 1993

Commando 1994

Commando 1995

Commando 1996

Commando 1989

Commando 1990

Commando 1991

Commando 1992

Commando 1985

Commando 1986

Commando 1987

Commando 1988

Commando 1981

Commando 1982

Commando 1983

Commando 1984

Commando 1977

Commando 1978

Commando 1979

Commando 1980

Commando 1973

Commando 1974

Commando 1975

Commando 1976

Commando 1969

Commando 1970

Commando 1971

Commando 1972

Commando 1961 - 1963

Commando 1964 - 1966

Commando 1967

Commando 1968

COMMANDO TITLES

1-1000

1001-2000

2001-3000

3001-4000

4001-5000

5001-6000

The run to date is as follows:

2 issues per month (1 - 24) June 1961 - May 1962

3 issues per month (25 - 30) June 1962 - July 1962

4 issues per month (31 - 262) August 1962 - May 1967

6 issues per month (263 - 538) June 1967 - March 1971

8 issues per month (539 - 4354) April 1971 – Late December 2010

4 issue per fortnight (4355 - ) January 6th, 2011 – Present Day

Commando Comics are still issued, if the current run continues,

then issue 5800 should be released November 7th, 2024.

Commando First 10 issues with reprints.

Recent Issues (Updated Fortnightly)

I started collecting Commando Comics in 1997, buying most of them at car boot sales & charity shops.

All the titles were original up to issue 538, as issue 539 'Sniper's Island' was a reprint of issue 72.

This started a new trend with previously published titles being reprinted. To date there have been over

1500 reprinted titles.

Personally, I thought that the overall impact of the covers were spoiled when they started to display the

price bar code on the front covers, this practice was started with issue 2339 (January 1990) and ended

with issue 3186 (October 1998), when the bar codes were placed on the back cover.

 

Commando Authors

I have had many requests to name some of the authors for Commando comics.

As you may appreciate identifying authors is not as easy as artists.

I have selected a few authors just by the number of titles they have produced.

The first is below and I will be adding further authors:

 

Eric Hebden

 

Commando Interior Story Artists

There have been many Commando artists, whom many of you will recognise, such as: C.T. Rigby, Keith Shone,

Tacconi, Patrick Wright, Carlos Pino, Arthur Fleming, Aguilar, Carrion, Ibanez, Mira, Saichan, Vila etc…

 

Manuel Benet Blanes   Gordon Livingstone   Jose Maria Jorge   John Ridgway   Denis McLoughlin   Keith Page   Carlos Pino

 

Commando Cover Artists

Again, there have been many artists, some of the artists above have not only done the interior art but also provided the cover illustration.

Cover artists such as: Chaco Puig, Manual Benet, Lopez Espi, Ibanez, Jose Maria Jorge, Gordon Livingstone, John Ridgway etc…

Below are a few of my favourites:

 

Ken Barr  Ian Kennedy  Jeff Bevan  Jordi Penalva

 

 

ALL THESE COMMANDO TITLES HAVE BEEN USED TWICE WITH DIFFERENT STORIES.

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68

SPEARHEAD!

May 1963

1377

SPEARHEAD

December 1979

221

WALL OF DEATH

July 1966

684

WALL OF DEATH

October 1972

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391

WINGS OF WAR

March 1969

2855

WINGS OF WAR

May 1995

434

JUNGLE HUNT

October 1969

3919

JUNGLE HUNT

June 2006

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829

ENEMIES NO MORE

April 1974

1309

ENEMIES NO MORE

April 1979

1241

A SOLDIER’S DEBT

July 1978

2733

A SOLDIER’S DEBT

February 1994

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2095

HIT-MAN

June 1987

3143

HIT-MAN

May 1998

2168

GLIDE INTO DANGER

May 1988

2506

GLIDE INTO DANGER

September 1991

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2336

TRUST NOBODY!

December 1989

3208

TRUST NOBODY!

January 1999

2342

KNOW YOUR ENEMY

January 1990

3873

KNOW YOUR ENEMY?

December 2005

 

THE COVER WAS ALTERED ON THIS REPRINT

com3843

COM4091A

3843

ACE VERSUS ACE

September 2005

4091

ACE VERSUS ACE

April 2008

206

FIGHTER ACE

March 1966

843

FIGHTER ACE

June 1974

COMMANDO TITLE CHANGE 1993

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2690

PASSWORD TO FREEDOM

The last with the heading

COMMANDO WAR STORIES IN PICTURES

August 1993

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2691

A RACE AGAINST TIME

The first with the heading

COMMANDO FOR ACTION AND ADVENTURE

September 1993

THE COMMANDO ANNUALS 1989 & 1990

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THE SEVEN STORIES

THE YOUNG ‘UN!

NO SURRENDER

DUEL IN THE SUN

KILLED IN ACTION

BIG BIRD, LITTLE FRIEND

THE GOOD SOLDIER

THE THREE MUSKETEERS

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THE SEVEN STORIES

A FISTFUL OF LIGHTNING

DEBT OF HONOUR

THE COWARD

FIGHTERS NORTH

RELUCTANT HERO

DEATH MARCH TO KOHIMA

SHIP OF SHAME

I have had many e: mails regarding the Commando annuals. There were two produced: 1989 & 1990 (as illustrated).  Each annual contained seven brand new stories, but the production was poor. They were mainly produced to capitalise on the Commando brand, the artwork was colour and in the style of the picture story papers of the time and not the usual Commando standard.

 

 

 

COMMANDO BOOKS FROM D.C. THOMSON

There are two cover versions.

The twelve stories are:

INLAND NAVY

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Arthur Fleming

RILEY’S RIFLE

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Galindo

ACES WILD

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

TROUBLE SPOT

Cover: Eustaguio Segrelles

Story Art: Eustaguio Segrelles

MUSTANG PATROL

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: John Ridgway

DEATH PATROL

Cover: Lopez Espi

Story Art: Sanches Cortes

 

THE SHIP BUSTERS

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

BATTLE WAGON

Cover: Lopez Espi

Story Art: Matias Alonso

THREE…TWO…ONE…ZERO!

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

MARCH OF THE MONSTERS

Cover: K.C.G. Walker

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

MAN OF IRON

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Eustaguio Segrelles

GLIDER ACE

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

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Carlton Publishing Group.

Seven Oaks

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The twelve stories are:

GUNS ON THE PEAK

Cover: Manuel Benet

Story Art: Manuel Benet

THE FIGHTING FEW

Cover: Gordon Livingstone

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

BRIGHT BLADE OF COURAGE

Cover: Gordon Livingstone

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

THE HAUNTED JUNGLE

Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: Collado

TIGER IN THE TAIL

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Amador

THE SPECIALISTS

Cover: Ron Brown

Story Art: Ibanez

 

MIGHTY MIDGET

Cover: Jeff Bevan

Story Art: Carlos Pino

VLR-VERY LONG RANGE

Cover: Jeff Bevan

Story Art: Denis McLoughlin

FLAK FEVER

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

FIGHT OR DIE!

Cover: Cox

Story Art: Arthur Fleming

FEARLESS FREDDY

Cover: Gordon Livingstone

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

ANOTHER TIGHT SPOT…

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Garijo

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The twelve stories are:

FIRE OVER ENGLAND

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

DESERT FOX

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Galindo

DANGER IN THE DEEP

Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

THE DESERT OF DEATH

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Collado

THE SAVAGE SKY

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Mira

THE DEATH OR GLORY MOB

Cover: Longaron

Story Art: Victor de la Fuente

 

ZERO SMASHER

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Mira

ISLAND OF DEATH

Cover: Artur Aldoma Puig

Story Art: Matias Alonso

SEA STRIKE

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: D. S. Gomez

ASSASSIN!

Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: Victor de la Fuente

THEY FLEW BY NIGHT

Cover: Gordon Livingstone

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

COLONEL SCARFACE

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Gonzalez

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The twelve stories are:

MAORI CHALLENGE

Cover: Nicholas Forder

Story Art: Luis Olivera

THE FORGOTTEN FIVE

Cover: Carlos Pino

Story Art: Carlos Pino

WAR IN THE WET

Cover: Carlos Pino

Story Art: Carlos Pino

TEST BY BATTLE

Cover: S. I.

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

REGAN’S RAIDERS

Cover: Phil Gascoine

Story Art: Luis Olivera

KILLING ZONE

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: C.T. Rigby

 

OUTBACK ARMY

Cover: Jeff Bevan

Story Art: Luis Olivera

SUB-CHASER

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Ibanez

SECRET IN THE SAND

Cover: Tubaro

Story Art: Keith Page

ISLAND OF FEAR

Cover: James

Story Art: Jose de la Fuente

OUTLAW FROM THE OUTBACK

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

THE WARLORD

Cover: Carlos Pino

Story Art: Carlos Pino

There are two cover versions.

Carlton Publishing Group.

Seven Oaks

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The twelve stories are:

TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SAILOR

Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: A.C. Kennedy

JUNGLE MADNESS

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Ferreira

MIGHTY MAGUIRE

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Franch

LEAVE HIM BEHIND!

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Felix Carrion

JUNGLE PATROL

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Luis Salmeron

GRUDGE FIGHT

Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: Leopoldo Ortiz

 

INTO THE JUNGLE

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Enriquez

JUNGLE SNIPER

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Agustin Navarro

THE BLACK PAGODA

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Castro

JUNGLE EXPRESS

Cover: John Ridgway

Story Art: John Ridgway

HALT – OR DIE!

Cover: Chicharro

Story Art: Victor de la Fuente

DANGER EVERYWHERE!

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Ibanez

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The twelve stories are:

BATTLE SQUADRON

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

SON OF A TRAITOR

Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: Mira

DEATH OF A WIMPEY

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: A.C. Kennedy

THE SILVER SPITFIRE

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

SAILOR WITH WINGS

Cover: Buccheri

Story Art: Peter Ford

LONE EAGLE

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Amador

 

SEA BLITZ

Cover: Sanfeliz

Story Art: Mira

A STIRLING CALLED SATAN

Cover: K.C.G. Walker

Story Art: Mira

LOW-LEVEL LANC

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Peter Ford

BLACK ZERO

Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

MOSQUITO ACE

Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

JET BLITZ

Cover: James

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

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The twelve stories are:

AMBUSH AT DAWN

Original Cover: Gaffron

Story Art: C.T. Rigby

THE STRONGPOINT

Original Cover: Alan Philpott

Story Art: Blasco

NORMANDY DROP

Original Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Ricardo Garijo

WRONG TIME, WRONG PLACE

Original Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Ibanez

BIG JOE

Original Cover: Lopez Espi

Story Art: Cortes

BLOOD OF HEROES

Original Cover: James

Story Art: Eustaguio Segrelles

 

D-DAY DROP

Original Cover: Fernando

Story Art: Victor de la Fuente

OPERATION BULLDOG

Original Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: Victor de la Fuente

WOLF PACK

Original Cover: Longaron

Story Art: Cortes

MAN OF IRON

Original Cover: Ken Barr

Story Art: Eustaguio Segrelles

BIG GUY

Original Cover: Chaco

Story Art: Castro

THE FOOTSLOGGERS

Original Cover: Phil Gascoine

Story Art: Denis McLoughlin

The ten stories are:

THE FLYING AVENGERS

Author: Fear

Original Cover: Jacono

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

UPSIDE DOWN ACE

Author: Brunt

Original Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: John Ridgway

BATTLE OF THE BOFFINS

Author: K.P. MacKenzie

Original Cover: Jeff Bevan

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

WINGED WOLVES

Author: Cyril G. Walker

Original Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

DANGER BELOW

Author: Rivett

Original Cover: Carlos Pino

Story Art: Carlos Pino

 

CZECH MATE

Author: Ian Clark

Original Cover: Ibanez

Story Art: Ibanez

SQUADRON SCRAMBLE

Author: K.P. MacKenzie

Original Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

NO MERCY

Author: Ken Gentry

Original Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

SPITFIRE SPIRIT

Author: Cyril G. Walker

Original Cover: Phillips

Story Art: Medrano

DEATH OF A COBRA

Author: Brunt

Original Cover: Ian Kennedy

Story Art: Jose Maria Jorge

The ten stories are:

OPERATION FIREBRAND!

Cover: Gordon Livingstone

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

HALF-PINT COMMANDO

Cover: Hall

Story Art: Eustaguio Segrelles

TERROR TEAM

Cover: Jordi Penalva

Story Art: Alacrejo

THE IRON SERGEANT

Cover: Artur Aldoma Puig

Story Art: Victor de la Fuente

TIME OF TERROR

Cover: Gordon Livingstone

Story Art: Gordon Livingstone

 

THE MAD MAJOR

Cover: Ramon de la Fuente

Story Art: Aguilar

SPRING THE TRAP

Cover: Jeff Bevan

Story Art: C.T. Rigby

A BORN LEADER

Cover: Jacano

Story Art: Felix Carrion

MARKED MAN

Cover: Gonzalez

Story Art: Galindo

TEN TOUGH PARATROOPERS

Cover: K.C.G. Walker

Story Art: Patrick Wright

AND FOR FLEETWAY FANS

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DEATH OR

BATTLE PICTURE LIBRARY

 

The twelve stories are:

SHOCK TACTICS

 

THE RATS OF TOBRUK

 

FIGHTING BLOOD

 

BLOOD ON THE SAND

 

TRAINED TO KILL

 

DAWN ATTACK

GLORY

COLLECTION No. 1

 

 

BLAZE OF GLORY

 

JAWS OF HELL

 

MACEY’S MOB

 

BATTLE ORDER

 

SEIZE AND HOLD

 

CRACK-UP

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LET ‘EM

BATTLE PICTURE LIBRARY

 

The twelve stories are:

FORT BLOOD

 

KILLER AT LARGE

 

THE FIRE-EATERS

 

NO HIGHER STAKES

 

TEN SECONDS TO ZERO

 

THE FLAME AND THE FURY

HAVE IT

COLLECTION No. 2

 

 

DEATH – AND GLORY

 

THE ISLAND OF GUILT

 

THE QUICK – AND THE DEAD

 

THE TROUBLE-SHOOTERS

 

L.C.I. 159

 

SHOOT FIRST…

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UNLEASH

WAR PICTURE LIBRARY

 

The twelve stories are:

FIGHT BACK TO DUNKIRK

 

THE CROWDED SKY

 

ACTION STATIONS

 

UMBRELLA IN THE SKY

 

CRASH CALL

 

THE IRON FIST

HELL

COLLECTION No. 1

 

 

LONE COMMANDO

 

THE BLACK ACE

 

AIR COMMANDO

 

FIRE POWER

 

THE RED DEVILS

 

TASK FORCE

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AGAINST

WAR PICTURE LIBRARY

 

The twelve stories are:

FINEST HOUR

 

THE TROUBLED SEA

 

FOXHOLE GLORY

 

THE THIN BLUE LINE

 

STRIKE SQUADRON

 

BANZAI!

ALL ODDS

COLLECTION No. 2

 

 

ROAD FROM TOBRUK

 

UP PERISCOPE

 

ROGUE LANCASTER

 

PARATROOP

 

THE VALLEY OF DEATH

 

SNARL OF BATTLE

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UP AND

WAR PICTURE LIBRARY

 

The eleven stories are:

ROUGH JUSTICE

 

STRIKE SILENT

 

THE SECRET ENEMY

 

COUNTER ATTACK

 

TRAIL OF THE AVENGER

 

AT ‘EM

COLLECTION No. 3

 

 

DEVIL’S ISLAND

 

THE IRON CROSS

 

THE LONG MARCH

 

OPERATION DOOMSDAY

 

UNDAUNTED

 

SOUND THE ALARM

 

 

 

 

FLEETWAY PUBLICATIONS

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War At Sea Picture Library

18

Q - SHIP

October 1962

War Picture Library

540

Q - SHIP

June 3rd 1968

Battle Picture Library

784

Q - SHIP

October 15th 1973

War Picture Library

1611

Q - SHIP

February 5th 1979

THE STORY: During the Second World War, the German navy was renowned for its raiding tactics. Deadly U-boats prowled in wolf packs and disguised surface raiders - Q - ships sailed the seas bent on death and destruction. Many Allied vessels left harbour never to reach their destination… 

Fleetway Publications would inter-change the covers between the various titles as the above images illustrate.

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War At Sea Picture Library

34

BATTLE STATIONS

June 1963

Valiant Picture Library

125

TOWER OF STRENGTH

August 1968

Battle Picture Library

764

TOWER OF STRENGTH

August 20th 1973

Battle Picture Library

93

TOWER OF STRENGTH

(Series 2)

The cover used for the Battle Picture Library Q-Ship No: 784 was originally used for War at Sea Picture Library No: 34 Battle Stations.

The illustrations above and below show the various covers used for the same stories when they were reprinted.

I have incorporated some of the (Series 2) comics, I have no information on this second series, ie: dates, how many titles, what the titles were, I have started a title list for series 2. So, if you have any information, please email me.

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War Picture Library

264

U-983

November 2nd 1964

War Picture Library

1225

U-983

June 7th 1976

War Picture Library

444

BLOOD ON THE SAND

May 31st 1968

Battle Picture Library

765

BLOOD ON THE SAND

August 20th 1973

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Battle Picture Library

1593

CRASH START

March 21st 1983

Battle Picture Library

208

CRASH START

(Series 2)

War Picture Library

1746

PATROL ACTION

February 4th 1980

Battle Picture Library

98

PATROL ACTION

(Series 2)

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Valiant Picture Library

55

DEATH TO STARBOARD

September 6th, 1965

Fleetway Publications 1965

Sometimes Fleetway would use the same stories under different titles as illustrated here. The story was originally released as 'VIOLENT DESTINY' War Picture Library No. 100 June 5TH 1961. But was changed when released for the Valiant Picture Library series.

This cover illustration was used for Battle Picture Library No. 724 ‘Escort’

War Picture Library

1379

VIOLENT DESTINY

July 4th, 1977

Fleetway Publications 1977

The title reverted back to 'VIOLENT DESTINY' for

Battle Picture Library No. 640 July 17TH 1972 and

War Picture Library No. 1379 July 4TH 1977

 

Sometimes the cover illustrations were changed when issues were republished as these two examples above illustrate.

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War Picture Library

530

HOOK, LINE AND SINKER

August 4th 1969

War Picture Library

1892

LONELY BATTLE

November 2nd 1981

Thriller Picture Library

250

SPY 13

Battle Picture Library

972

HOOK LINE AND SINKER

January 19th 1976

Sometimes the same cover illustrations were used for different stories as illustrated above.

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War Picture Library

739

DINGO BATTALION

March 6th 1972

To advertise War Picture Library the cover illustration was used from 'DINGO BATTALION' as illustrated.

War Picture Library

1636

DEED OF VALOUR

April 2nd 1979

To advertise War Picture Library the cover illustration was used from 'DEED OF VALOUR' as illustrated.

 

Other British Picture Library Titles:

The Action Picture Library ran from August 1969 - October 1970 with a total of 30 issues.

Two titles were published per month.

Incorporated with War Picture Library.

 

Air Ace Picture Library ran from January 18th, 1960 - November 16th, 1970, with a total 545 issues.

2 issues per month (1 - 10) January 18th, 1960 - May 16th, 1960

3 issues per month (11 - 25) June 20th, 1960 - October 17th, 1960

4 issues per month (26 - 437) November 21st, 1960 - May 19th, 1969

6 issues per month (438 - 545) June 16th, 1969 - November 16th, 1970

Incorporated with War Picture Library.

Air Ace Picture Library Titles

 

Battle Picture Library ran from January 16th, 1961 - November 19th, 1984, with a total 1708 issues.

2 issues per month (1 - 8) January 16th, 1961 - April 17th, 1961

4 issues per month (9 - 396) May 15th, 1961 – May 19th, 1969

6 issues per month (397 – 504) June 16th, 1969 - November 16th, 1970

No Issues December 1970 & January 1971 (IPC strike)

8 issues per month (505 - 1384) February 15th, 1971 - April 21st, 1980

6 issues per month (1385 - 1678) May 19th, 1980 - May 21st, 1984

8 issues this month (1679 - 1686) June 18th, 1984.

4 issues per month (1687 - 1708) July 16th, 1984 - November 19th, 1984

Battle Picture Library Titles

A BIG thank you to all the people who contributed to complete the Battle Picture Library list.

The publication ceased the same month as War Picture library and yes, the last title.

1706 'NO ONE LIVES FOREVER' was a reprint.

Battle Picture Library (Series 2)

Ran from January 1985 – March 1992 (4 issues per month) a total of 344 issues.

Battle Picture Library (Series 2) Titles

Some of the titles are missing, (can you fill in the missing gaps), and even if it is only one title it.

all help.

 

Buster Adventure Library ran from July 1966 - December 1967 with 2 issues per month and a

total of 36 issues.

 

Combat Picture Library I have not found out much about these titles and require help in filling in the

missing titles.

Combat Picture Library Titles (Updated January 30th, 2023)

 

Cowboy Picture Library ran from April 1950 – September 1962 with a total of 468 issues. Originally

titled Cowboy Comics with a title change to Cowboy Picture Library from issue 205.

The series featured stories with Buck Jones, Kit Carson, The Kansas Kid, Davy Crockett,

Billy the Kid, Buffalo Bill, & Lucky Lannagan.

Cowboy Picture Library Titles

 

Eagle Picture Library ran from May 1985 - November 1985 with 2 issues per month and a total.

of 14 issues.

 

Fleetway Super Library Fantastic/Stupendous series ran from January 1967 - January 1968 with

2 issues per month and a total of 26 issues.

 

Fleetway Super Library Front Line series ran from January 1967 - January 1968 with

2 issues per month and a total of 26 issues.

 

Fleetway Super Library Secret Agent series ran from January 1967 – January 1968 with

2 issues per month and a total of 26 issues.

 

Football Picture Story Monthly ran from June 1986 --- 2003

I have had several emails inquiring about Football Picture Story Monthly,

which after all, is similar to Commando.

 

Click here for a complete list of Football Picture Story Monthly titles.

Some of the back cover football stars are missing.

Can you fill in the missing footballers?

 

I have also started cover scans for the Football Picture Story Monthly below.

If you are interested and can provide further scans, we might be able to add more years.

Football Picture Story Monthly Covers

1986 – 1987 -- 1988

1989 – 1990 -- 1991

 

Giant War Picture Library ran from June 1964 - December 1965 with 4 issues per month.

and a total of 76 issues.

For a complete list of the titles Click Here

Lion Picture Library ran from October 1963 - May 1969 with 2 issues per month and a total of

136 issues.

 

Starblazer another D.C. Thomson publication first issued in April 1979 the comic had the

sub heading Space Fiction Adventure in Pictures, this subheading was later changed to.

Fantasy Fiction in Pictures ran to 281 issues with the last issue January 1991.

Starblazer Picture Library Titles

Super Detective Picture Library ran from March 1953 – December 1960 and a total of 188 issues.

The series featured stories with Bulldog Drummond, Dick Barton, Sherlock Holmes, Sexton Blake,

The Saint and many others.

Super Detective Picture Library Titles

Tiger Sports Library ran from July 1961 - December 1961 with 2 issues per month and a total of 12 issues.

 

Thriller Picture Library ran from November 1951 – May 1963 with a total of 450 issues.

Originally titled Thriller Comics issues 1 – 40, Thriller Comics Library issues 41 – 162 and finally

Thriller Picture Library issues 163 – 450.

Earlier titles were based on classic tales with latter titles featuring Battler Britton,

Dogfight Dixon R.F.C., Jet-Ace Logan & Spy 13 of World War II.

Thriller Picture Library Titles

Top Secret Library ran from July 1974 - February 1976 with 2 issues per month and a total of 40 issues.

Valiant Picture Library ran from June 1963 - May 1969 with 2 issues per month and a total of 144 issues.

Valiant & War at Sea Picture Library Titles

Some of the titles are missing, (can you fill in the missing gaps), and even if it is only one title it all helps.

War Picture Library ran from September 1st, 1958 - November 5th, 1984, with a total 2103 issues.

2 issues per month (1 - 32) September 1st, 1958 - December 7th, 1959

3 issues this month (33 - 35) January 4th, 1960

4 issues per month (36 – 415) February 1st, 1960 - December 4th, 1967

6 issues per month (416 - 627) January 1st, 1968 - December 7th, 1970

4 issues this month (628 - 631) January 1st, 1968 - October 5th, 1970

8 issues per month (632 - 959) February 1st, 1971 - June 3rd, 1974

10 issues per month (960 - 1049) July 1st, 1974 - March 3rd, 1975

12 issues per month (1050 - 1781) April 7th, 1975 - April 7th, 1980

6 issues per month (1782 - 2087) May 5th, 1980 - July 2nd, 1984

4 issues per month (2088 - 2103) August 6th, 1984 – November 5th, 1984

War Picture Library Titles

The publication ceased the same month as Battle Picture library.

War Picture Library (Series 2)

Ran from January 1985 – March 1992 (4 issues per month) a total of 344 issues.

War Picture Library (Series 2) Titles

Some of the titles are missing, (can you fill in the missing gaps), and even if it is only one title it all helps.

 

War At Sea Picture Library ran from February 1962 - July 1963 with 2 issues per month and a total.

of 36 issues. For titles see Valiant.

 

Wild West Picture Library ran from May 1966 - January 1971 with 2 issues per month and a total

of 114 issues.

All the above comments and observations are my own and have been collated from my own modest collection of British comics. 

I would welcome your comments or information, v.whittle2@ntlworld.com

© D. C. Thomson & Co Ltd

© Fleetway Publications

© Ron Phillips?

Vic Whittle 2013