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Showcase Presents
Showcase Presents: Weird War Tales, Vol. 1
A New York Times Bestseller!
In this value-priced collection, war stories turn creepy as soldiers face ghostly foes, haunted weapons and much more.
In this value-priced collection, war stories turn creepy as soldiers face ghostly foes, haunted weapons and much more.
571 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2013
4 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Joe Kubert
715 books57 followersJoe Kubert was a Jewish-American comic book artist who went on to found the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. He is best known for his work on the DC Comics characters Sgt. Rock and Hawkman. His sons, Andy Kubert and Adam Kubert, have themselves become successful comic-book artists.
Kubert's other creations include the comic books Tor, Son of Sinbad, and Viking Prince, and, with writer Robin Moore, the comic strip Tales of the Green Beret.
Kubert was inducted into the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1997, and Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998.
Kubert's other creations include the comic books Tor, Son of Sinbad, and Viking Prince, and, with writer Robin Moore, the comic strip Tales of the Green Beret.
Kubert was inducted into the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1997, and Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 5, 2018
Awesome collection of the first 21 issues of the Bronze Age DC series WEIRD WAR TALES. This is basically a Tales from the Crypt style horror collection, but the stories all deal with war in some form, be it modern wars or ancient ones. Some of the stories are supernatural, some are ironic, and some are just the title says, weird.
This collection is in black and white even though the originals are in color, and really they work just as well if not better in black and white. It gives the stories a grittier, more "mature" vibe and really fits the dark subject matter.
The creators on this one read like a who's who of comic creators of the 60s and 70s. As is usually the case, some stories are better than others but overall this is a great collection that never fails to entertain.
This collection is in black and white even though the originals are in color, and really they work just as well if not better in black and white. It gives the stories a grittier, more "mature" vibe and really fits the dark subject matter.
The creators on this one read like a who's who of comic creators of the 60s and 70s. As is usually the case, some stories are better than others but overall this is a great collection that never fails to entertain.
December 22, 2014
As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, the relaxation of the Comics Code in the early 1970s created a horror anthology boom at DC Comics. At the same time, the once best-selling war comics were going into a slump, at least partially due to the real-life Vietnam War becoming increasingly unpopular. So a hybrid title was created that combined the two genres.
Like many anthology comics, there was initially a framing device of a narrator telling the stories to a soldier and the reader. This switched around a few times, until the series settled on Death as the host of the book. For who knows the stories of war better? The majority of the stories are set in World War Two, both because the writers and artists had served in that conflict or were close to those that were, and because the sides were so clearly drawn. None of the stories in the first twenty-one issues are set in the Vietnam conflict; the most recent war covered is the Korean War in one story, and even then not presented by name.
The art in this volume is stellar. Joe Kubert (who also got to be an editor on this title), Russ Heath, Irv Novick and others are well-served by the black and white reprint. The stories range from good to trite. The two most often used plots are “Corporal Bob saved your life? But he died last week!” and “Arrogant Nazis disregard local superstitions, die horribly.” A couple of standouts are Issue #11’s “October 30″, which is a series of interconnected stories taking place on that date in different years as Von Krauss seeks glory and promotion in more than one war; and “The Warrior and the Witch Doctors!” which has a Roman legionary time traveling, but a unique twist ending changes everything.
The Comics Code, while loosened, was still in effect, so while rape and suicide are implied, they are never directly shown. The gore is also turned way down, unlike many current horror comics. On the other hand, there’s enough violence to make the “Make War No More” buttons that sometimes end the stories seem out of place.) There are some period ethnic slurs in a couple of the stories. Only one female soldier is seen, and very briefly at that in a post-atomic war story.
The subject matter means that this volume won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but the art makes it well worth it for fans of war comics who can take a little weirdness in with it.
Like many anthology comics, there was initially a framing device of a narrator telling the stories to a soldier and the reader. This switched around a few times, until the series settled on Death as the host of the book. For who knows the stories of war better? The majority of the stories are set in World War Two, both because the writers and artists had served in that conflict or were close to those that were, and because the sides were so clearly drawn. None of the stories in the first twenty-one issues are set in the Vietnam conflict; the most recent war covered is the Korean War in one story, and even then not presented by name.
The art in this volume is stellar. Joe Kubert (who also got to be an editor on this title), Russ Heath, Irv Novick and others are well-served by the black and white reprint. The stories range from good to trite. The two most often used plots are “Corporal Bob saved your life? But he died last week!” and “Arrogant Nazis disregard local superstitions, die horribly.” A couple of standouts are Issue #11’s “October 30″, which is a series of interconnected stories taking place on that date in different years as Von Krauss seeks glory and promotion in more than one war; and “The Warrior and the Witch Doctors!” which has a Roman legionary time traveling, but a unique twist ending changes everything.
The Comics Code, while loosened, was still in effect, so while rape and suicide are implied, they are never directly shown. The gore is also turned way down, unlike many current horror comics. On the other hand, there’s enough violence to make the “Make War No More” buttons that sometimes end the stories seem out of place.) There are some period ethnic slurs in a couple of the stories. Only one female soldier is seen, and very briefly at that in a post-atomic war story.
The subject matter means that this volume won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but the art makes it well worth it for fans of war comics who can take a little weirdness in with it.
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July 9, 2012I always have a great time reading my old Weird War issues, and I'm glad this this gloriously stupid magazine will finally get its due.
May 16, 2013
Three and a half stars really. I know those half stars don't show so I thought I would let you know. This was one of my favorite comics when I was a much younger person. And now it is just was not the same. Again with the black and white crap that DC pulls. I know that they would probably scream about the cost if it were done in color, but really. I remember all of those great panels in full color, and what memories those are. I think the biggest hang I have with this book is that it just seems you really cannot go back. What I mean by this is that anticipation upon finishing one comic and then having to wait another month, maybe two if funds weren't there, for the next. Here it is like a whole bunch of comics, black and white damn them, stuffed down your throat. I guess it stole a little of that magic away. So getting older might not be as fun as all that? That's all right I still look forward to incontinence and going any damn where I please! No adult diapers for this old fart!
November 22, 2020
The artists throughout the series are fantastic as well as some real good stories.
December 26, 2020
Great art wide variety of stories well done.
January 26, 2017
Collecting the first 24 issues of Weird War Tales. I enjoyed this book but the first few issues are kinda rough. I don't think the editors knew quite where this book was going. Most of the first stories are either based on true but odd events or of the horrors of war itself. It's not until about issue 13 that this series really becomes the series that I know and love.
The main reason for the diminished quality is the lack of a consistent host. The first few issues either don't have a host or it involves soldiers huddling around a campfire or bunker telling ghost stories. Even worse, DC would try out something really strange, like a living mound of seaweed to spin those weird war yarns. But by issue #13, they decided to use the living embodiment of Death and comic book history was made.
With Death, any time period was now open to a good weird war tale. From the times of Vikings and Romans to the robot wars of the 22nd century, if people died, Death would be there. There's even one story set during Vietnam which I thought was very interesting as the Comics Code Authority actually made mention or use of Vietnam off limits in comics for a brief time.
Featuring a slew of comics greats like Ross Andru, Joe Orlando, and Marv Wolfman- the main star of this series is Joe Kubert. I don't think this series would've gotten off the ground if not for his efforts. Just about every one of the first 20 or so issues has either a cover or story by him. I think he even took over editing duties around issue #8. So that explains the advance in quality at some point.
I really would love to have these in single issue form. But seeing how sub par some of these first issues were, I'm kinda glad I didn't. This is a good way to get the first two dozen books without spending and arm and a leg to get them. Plus, now I can save money up to buy the later issues which are far more superior.
An interesting time capsule looking into the early days of a classic comic book series that combines war, sci-fi, horror, and everything weird.
The main reason for the diminished quality is the lack of a consistent host. The first few issues either don't have a host or it involves soldiers huddling around a campfire or bunker telling ghost stories. Even worse, DC would try out something really strange, like a living mound of seaweed to spin those weird war yarns. But by issue #13, they decided to use the living embodiment of Death and comic book history was made.
With Death, any time period was now open to a good weird war tale. From the times of Vikings and Romans to the robot wars of the 22nd century, if people died, Death would be there. There's even one story set during Vietnam which I thought was very interesting as the Comics Code Authority actually made mention or use of Vietnam off limits in comics for a brief time.
Featuring a slew of comics greats like Ross Andru, Joe Orlando, and Marv Wolfman- the main star of this series is Joe Kubert. I don't think this series would've gotten off the ground if not for his efforts. Just about every one of the first 20 or so issues has either a cover or story by him. I think he even took over editing duties around issue #8. So that explains the advance in quality at some point.
I really would love to have these in single issue form. But seeing how sub par some of these first issues were, I'm kinda glad I didn't. This is a good way to get the first two dozen books without spending and arm and a leg to get them. Plus, now I can save money up to buy the later issues which are far more superior.
An interesting time capsule looking into the early days of a classic comic book series that combines war, sci-fi, horror, and everything weird.
January 22, 2013
DC's war anthologies and horror anthologies can be hit or miss. That was what made Showcase Presents Weird War Tales a surprising pleasure: it managed to combine the war story and then merge them with supernatural or science fiction scenarios. Not all of them worked, and the evolution of the series was rather interesting, starting with a series of random narrators telling tales in a framing story (the weirdest being the seaweed man) before doing like other DC anthologies and picking a regular narrator in the form of Death, a skeleton, sometimes with one eye, in a wide variety of military uniforms.
Most of the stories take place during World War II, and the presence of vampires seem to be a bit overdone (something a casual reader when this book first came out may not have noticed), but these stories largely work. The unique thing is on occasion the creators would merge the stories together and show a common thread running through multiple tales (the issue with the American serviceman who dies at the hands of his evil Japanese father-in-law just before Pearl Harbor and the effort of him and his dead wife to reunite was a favorite of mine). Most of the stories deal with Nazis in one form or another, though bad people needing comeuppance come in all nationalities when you consider cocky French World War I pilots and the American "Captain Dracula" all get theirs in the end, often deservedly.
Most of the stories take place during World War II, and the presence of vampires seem to be a bit overdone (something a casual reader when this book first came out may not have noticed), but these stories largely work. The unique thing is on occasion the creators would merge the stories together and show a common thread running through multiple tales (the issue with the American serviceman who dies at the hands of his evil Japanese father-in-law just before Pearl Harbor and the effort of him and his dead wife to reunite was a favorite of mine). Most of the stories deal with Nazis in one form or another, though bad people needing comeuppance come in all nationalities when you consider cocky French World War I pilots and the American "Captain Dracula" all get theirs in the end, often deservedly.
November 3, 2013
Una serie di racconti antologici, quasi sempre di poche pagine. Ha il pregio di presentare alcuni grandi disegnatori e sceneggiatori, come Joe Kubert, Russ Heat, Alex Toth, uno dei primi lavori di Walt Simonson, oltre a storie di Gene Colan, Ernie Chan (ancora Chua, per quell'errore all'anagrafe) insieme a disegnatori di caratura decisamente minore.
Il tema è sempre quello, la guerra. Per lo più la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, ma anche la Prima ed altre del passato e, a volte, di un futuro immaginario. Inquietanti sono molti di questi racconti, alcuni decisamente soprannaturali.
Una buona lettura nonostante la serie perda di qualità col proseguire del tempo: i primi numeri sono decisamente i migliori, poi si assiste ad una diluizione della qualità che dispiace alquanto.
Il tema è sempre quello, la guerra. Per lo più la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, ma anche la Prima ed altre del passato e, a volte, di un futuro immaginario. Inquietanti sono molti di questi racconti, alcuni decisamente soprannaturali.
Una buona lettura nonostante la serie perda di qualità col proseguire del tempo: i primi numeri sono decisamente i migliori, poi si assiste ad una diluizione della qualità che dispiace alquanto.
May 20, 2013
Top notch talent (Alex Toth, Joe Kubert, Alfredo Acala, Nestor Redondo, etc.) can't save the volume from the same trap as the recently released Showcase Presents Ghosts. On both Weird War and Ghosts, the title concept limits the variety of tales so it does get repetitive after pretty quickly.
If you're interested in some really great horror comics I'd recommend House of Mystery, House of Secrets, Witching Hour, Phantom Stranger, Unexpected and Secrets of Sinister House over Weird War. But I love these early 70s DC horror books. I'll read them all.
If you're interested in some really great horror comics I'd recommend House of Mystery, House of Secrets, Witching Hour, Phantom Stranger, Unexpected and Secrets of Sinister House over Weird War. But I love these early 70s DC horror books. I'll read them all.
June 12, 2014
Kubert. Reese. Toth. Nino. Redondo. Talaoc. Alcala. All reproduced in beautiful black and white. 'Nuff said, right?! I only gave four stars because there is some mediocrity mixed in with the good stuff...and not enough interior art by Kubert!
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August 14, 2012Joe Kubert (1926 - 2012) - RIP
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/art...
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/art...
August 13, 2016
A wonderful collection of classic tales, but would have been greatly enhanced by publishing the colored version of the original comics.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews