Welcome to the third installment in this series. I wasn't originally planning on it being a series, even a short one, but I find that what I plan to write and what actually happens don't always match.
What we're currently looking at is the long-running British comic series called "Commando", which is a digest sized title focusing on wartime heroics and tending towards titles such as "Desert of Death" and "March or Die"
But every now and then Commando gets a bit strange.
Today I'm going to bring up another three examples of stories with a supernatural element. A bit like the last lot, an item has a history and some unexpected properties. However this time the object in question is a lot bigger. And can move. And has guns.
Better hope it's on your side.
Commando 2050: The Haunted Tank (1986)
I mean, the title says it all.
The story: "New boy" Sid Raleigh has finally been accepted by the rest of his tanks crew which means they let him in on a big secret: Their particular tank is haunted, most likely by the spirit of a notorious practical joker. Sometimes the tank will stop for no reason. Sometimes it will start for no reason. Funny thing is, it always saves the crew from incoming danger. Sid is a bit dubious, as you'd expect, but we all know how this goes. Eventually Sid and his mates get dragged into a nefarious Nazi scheme and the ghost has to take decisive action.
An entertaining story that manages to work with the premise without making it too silly.
Commando 2977: The Haunted Halifax (1996)
Again, the title is right there.
The Story: 1944. RAF Bombers are raiding Italy. One of those bombers is a Halifax affectionately dubbed "Creaky Kate" by her crew who believe that Kate will always get them home. However Kate gets hit hard by a nightfighter and that means her crew fly their next mission in a strange aircraft. When they are posted as "missing" their friends are devastated.
But maybe the newly repaired "Creaky Kate" will find a way to get her crew home after all.
Not sure about this one. Something doesn't gel here and that's a shame because the artwork is pretty good.
Commando 3517: The Haunted Hurricane (2002)
It's about a Hurricane that is haunted.
What I find interesting is that in all of these cases the "ghost" is benevolent and making a point of helping the crew. Possibly that's because a haunted Stuka would crash on the next mission.
The Story: Wilf Judd has just arrived at his new squadron in the Middle East, more than a little worried because he's a mediocre pilot and he knows this is not good for his survival chances.
Crashing the brand new Hurricane he's ferrying does not help his confidence and it does give his new CO the best impression either. In response, Wilf is handed a battered Hurricane with the name "Ghost" and a mysterious background.
Naturally the Hurricane starts behaving oddly: refusing to answer to the controls, flying itself in dogfights and oh yes, talking to Wilf through the radio.
Seems the previous pilot decided to stick around to settle a few scores.
Firstly, some really good art work on display for this issue. Secondly, it's also interesting that the crews never seem to have any problems accepting that their vehicle is haunted. Very matter of fact about it. Thirdly - yes I enjoyed the haunted Hurricane and I bet 12 year old me would have absolutely loved it.
I'll be back soon with more spooky wartime escapades but in the meantime...
That's All Folks!
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