Follow soldiers into some bloody battles in ‘The Tankies’
I have read a good amount of graphic novels based on historic events. Some of them told the inspiring true stories of famous figures. Others told me historical events I had never heard of before. When I heard about The Tankies I was looking forward to reading it. I was able to get a digital copy of this graphic novel and here is what I thought of it.
You can read the plot for The Tankies here:
After D-Day the largely untried Allied armies meet their seasoned German counterparts on the killing grounds ofBocage country. As Panzers and SS units turn the French hedgerows into a slaughterhouse, a lone British tank crew struggles to rejoin their squadron. Their only hope lies in their commander, Corporal Stiles—but does even this wily old trooper stand a chance against the infamous Tiger? Newly promoted but just as angry, Sergeant Stiles enters the battle for Germany in command of a Sherman Firefly—capable of taking out any tank thus far encountered. Unfortunately, the enemy have a new tank of their own, the mighty “King Tiger,” with twice the firepower of the original. As Stiles and his men join the Allied advance into the Nazi homeland, they find worse horrors than Tigers lurking in the German twilight.
Six years later, as massed Chinese armies descend on UN forces defending South Korea, a British infantry brigade digs in amidst the hills of the Imjin River sector. With them are the Centurion tanks of the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, including WWII veteran Sergeant Stiles. But Stiles is a man haunted by the horrors of his past, and when the Communist offensive smashes into the tiny British force, he must battle his own demons along with the enemy’s might.
I had a great time reading this graphic novel. It takes readers into some famous wars from the past, told by accounts of soldiers who were actually there. In some wars these men found themselves massively outgunned, but they refused to give up. In another war, although they had better weapons this time, the enemy they faced seem stronger than ever. Yet as this graphic novel came to a close, it looked like most of these men would live to fight another day. This may not be a graphic novel for everyone, but some readers will enjoy it.
The Tankies is available now. You can order this graphic novel from Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.