All guns blazing! : the 12 most action-packed Commando comic books ever! / edited by George Low, editor of Commando. 2007

Ah yes, the "graphic novel!" When I was young, (MUCH younger) we read "War Comics" and our parents frowned on our doing so.

If one is looking for realism, look elsewhere. To quote Blackadder, this "stuff's about as convincing as Dr. Crippen's defence lawyer. The British Tommies are all portrayed as six foot six with biceps the size of Bournemouth."

If one is looking for sharp, witty and incisive dialogue, look elsewhere. "Achtung!" "Gott in Himmel!" "Banzai!" "Mamma Mai!" et al are less than demanding, extending or authentic.

So if one is looking for stereotyped characters, wooden dialogue and unrealistic action then these are the very thing!

With all that said, these are SLIGHTLY engaging for someone who recalls them from their dim-distant past!

But literature? Let us not discount the entire "genre" of the "graphic novel" based on this and its companion examples.

The lowest denominator of the "at least they are reading" school! Don't start me on that - it is an entirely different debate!

Genuinely, and with the best will in the world, I tried really hard to find some merit in these. Sadly I couldn't.

But, as always, this is but one man's opinion! And no correspondence will be entered into!

Published by Carlton Books

Reviewed by David

Any comments?