EXTRACTS: British War Comics Illustrators Special © 2018 The Book Palace (144 PAGES in Full edition)

7 All Images © IPC Media The evolution of War Picture Library reflected the caution which publishers, and editors brought to bear when launching new titles. In fact the earliest issues, which were edited by Alf Wallace, were originally designated for publication under the Thriller Picture Library banner. The decision to transfer the stories to a new line of pocket libraries necessitated some re- jigging of stories: a Battler Britton story centring around a young tearaway who eventually becomes a fighter pilot was reworked to become the fourth issue of the series. The debut story ‘Dunkirk’, which was scheduled to cash in on the popularity of the newly released film of the same title, was retitled ‘Fight Back to Dunkirk’, and was given a typically gritty cover by Giorgio De Gaspari. Its companion issue, 'Wings of Victory', which again showed evidence of having been produced for Thriller Picture Library , came with a cover by Patrick Nicolle betraying a lyricism that seemed at odds with the elemental ferocity of De Gaspari’s cover art. The first two issues appeared in the October of 1958, and were an instant hit. The number of issues released on a monthly basis was ratcheted up from two to three issues in July 1959, and by February 1960 the issue quota FACING PAGE: Jorge Moliterni was a master of atmosphere. His skillful use of shadow and confident figure drawing gave his work a morbid intensity which made him one of War Picture Library 's most frequent contributors as this page from 'Zero Hour', WPL No. 71 amply demonstrates. ABOVE: Cover for Battle Picture Library No. 5. Pino Dell'Orco's expressive use of colour and design added greatly to the 'pull- factor' of Fleetway's pocket libraries.