Eagle and Battle – Issue No. 317 (16th April 1988)

Experience a high-stakes emergency with this 1988 edition of Eagle and Battle. This issue is a prime example of the magazine's "Action-Anthology" phase, where the sci-fi roots of Eagle perfectly blended with the gritty, military-style drama of Battle.

Product Highlights

• High-Octane Cover: Features a dramatic mid-air crisis from the Ghost Squad strip. The artwork captures a frantic "Abandon Balloon!" scenario, complete with free-falling characters and the series' signature supernatural/spectral elements.

• Merger Branding: Includes the combined Eagle and Battle masthead, a short-lived but beloved era for collectors of 80s UK weeklies.

• Original Details: Published 16th April 1988 with the original 30p cover price.

• Anthology Range: Features a mix of traditional war stories and futuristic sci-fi, maintaining the legacy of Dan Dare alongside tactical action strips like Storm Force.

Condition Note

• Visual Appeal: The cover remains incredibly vibrant, especially the large yellow and green hot air balloon that dominates the composition.

• Provenance: Features a small vintage newsagent's name ("Wolton") handwritten in blue ink at the top center—a hallmark of authenticity for this specific collection.

• Wear: The copy is in excellent vintage condition. The edges are very clean with no significant tears, and the colors have remained sharp over the decades.

• Interior: Complete and securely stapled; the internal newsprint has aged to a light, natural cream color.

Collector's Appeal

Issue #317 is a must-have for those interested in the evolution of IPC/Fleetway titles. The Battle merger brought a new layer of intensity to the magazine, making these late-80s issues unique historical markers of the changing British comic landscape.