Review by Frank Plowright

Sergeant Strong originates from a time when British comic readers were less concerned with logic, and editors felt they valued thrills and action over explanations, which are usually supplied as dialogue or thought balloons. Accept that, and the adventures of a transformed astronaut may still entertain.

It was set in 1985, then an incredible decade ahead for the young readers of weekly thrillfest Valiant, by which time Scott Goodall predicted the UK would have its own space programme. Goodall keeps matters charmingly parochial throughout, with Simon Strong returning to Earth not in a pre-determined location, but in the vicinity of a Welsh farm where his newly acquired strength is displayed.

Goodall has little coherent plan for the feature other than ensuring one episode leads to the next, with wild swerves of focus. Starting as an astronaut, the conveniently bestowed strength and invulnerability sees him co-opted by a covert agency. Yet his first assignment isn’t to sort out a major world problem, but to solve the mystery of why trucks of tinned fruit are being hijacked. It turns out that’s but the first step toward stealing a nuclear submarine.

It would all be utterly bonkers without the solid grounding of Eric Bradbury’s art. Bradbury’s old school draughtsmanship packs an enormous amount into every two page episode, and without ever making the panels seem crowded. There’s enough space to emphasise Strong’s strength and to include flowing action. Bradbury has a talent for creating distinctive looking people whose characteristics match their personality.

Having created a hero impervious to physical violence, Goodall conceives ever more inventive ways to negate that advantage, and while never sustaining even the briefest application of logic, he ensures the action and threats distract attention. Occasionally there’s an inventive twist you won’t see coming.

There’s no pretending Sergeant Strong is a lost masterpiece, but the art is polished, and in the right frame of mind his adventures carry a kitsch attraction.

This isn’t available via major online booksellers, but can be purchased direct from the publisher here.