The Origin of the Lion Rock WWII artworks

[kresge1]

The Chinese Infantry is based on the cover for War #470 ("Roar of Defiance"):



I don't know where they got the picture of that soldier that was added, though.

I haven't found the others that you mentioned. Here is the complete list of artworks that I haven't seen so far:
- US Tail Gunner
- US Frogman
- US Marine
- Italian Partisan
- Russian Officer

I am surprised that I didn't find the Italian Partisan cover anywhere. I know it is by Oliver Frey
and he created several covers for the Fleetway comics. Some are presented in the artbooks.

I almost feel like I have seen the partisan art , but can't find it again
It's similar to some styles of some of the other art work

[Agent4125]

Today I got more books. Not really happy with the condition they are in, but they are interesting nevertheless.
Let's see:

The Japanese Sharpshooter (Italian box / comic book):



The book is in poor condition. Maybe I should try to find a better copy of this one...
What's interesting about this artwork is the additional soldier that was removed from the Lion Rock version:



The comic book says "Featuring Top Sergeant IRONSIDE". I suppose the picture shows him ?

And here is the Japanese Infantry (German box / comic book):



The art on the book is a bit blurry. I don't know if all of them are this way.
Notice how the book shows more of the left side of the artwork. The Italian box also shows more of the soldier on the left:



I like how the artist (Graham Coton) hid his signature in the grass :

[Agent4125]

And more...

US Arctic Infantry

Here is a comparison of the box art for the Arctic Infantry (French box) and one of the comic books (War Picture Library #712):



It's another artwork with small modifications.
The comic cover artwork depicts the soldier with ski poles. On the box art they are missing.
(The figure didn't come with ski poles. But it didn't come with a machine pistol either and they didn't change that...)

The helmet was modified, too. I think the original artwork depicts a German soldier?



And on the right side of the painting, a group of soldiers in the background was removed:

[Wee67]

So cool. Thanks for keeping this up!

[Agent4125]

The hunt continues and more secrets are revealed

German Infantry

Here is a picture of the German Infantry box (Italian version) and the comic book that had the same artwork:



The artwork was painted by Jordi Penalva for War Picture Library #471 (released in Oktober 1968).

[Agent4125]

Lets put this thread back to the TOP

Scottish Guard

Another awesome painting is that for the Scottish Guard.



This one was painted by Fernando Fernandez for War Picture Library #523 (June 1969).

[palitoy]

Awesome, that's the only WW2 figure I have in the box, reminds me of my grandfather.

[Agent4125]

I think we didn't see this one yet:

US Infantry



It was painted by Carlo Jacono for War Picture Library #409 (November 1967).
My copy is a later issue, where the painting was re-used (Battle Picture Library #844 from 1974).

[Agent4125]

There are still some artworks we haven't seen yet.

US Pilot



This one was painted by Alessandro Biffignandi for Air Ace #43 (March 1961).
My copy of the comic book is not in best condition, but hey, this one is more than 50 years old!

[Neutron X]

These are fantastic! I love seeing where all these great pics came from.

[kresge1]

Italian partisan

[Agent4125]

Yes, it's from yet another Fleetway series, "Top Secret Picture Library".
I read that these told some James Bond like stories.
So the men in the artwork weren't supposed to be Italien partisans but some enemy agents ?

And I found another one:

US Tail Gunner



That artwork was done by someone named Gerry Wood for "Look and Learn", an educational magazine
(published by the same company as those comics; Fleetway / later IPC).
Some additional information can be found here:
lookandlearn.com/Wartime-pilots-and-the-Battle-of-Britain

I also found out that this painting was re-used a few years ago as background art
for a set of stamps (commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire plane). See here:
buckinghamcovers.com/BCSHEET53

They obviously used only part of the original artwork. Here is the back of the French box for comparison:

[kresge1]

Nice work jens!!

[kresge1]

That book with the Italian partisan artwork was just in auction and ended at 82$
I can't believe how much it went for

[kresge1]

Here is the Japanese officers box art and corresponding magazine