Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor, Nick :: My Eclectic Collection

GI Combat #253 Cover by THE Joe Kubert!

Artist: Joe Kubert (All)

7 Comments - 1,213 Views - 2 Likes

GI Combat #253 Cover by THE Joe Kubert! Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	GI Combat #253 Cover by THE Joe Kubert!
Artist:	Joe Kubert (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,213
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Comments:	7
Added to Site:	10/14/2018
Comic Art Archive:

Description

The second of two Joe Kubert covers and an Aparo cover (posting all 3!) that I was able to get thanks to Kevin/DC Man!

Appearing in "The Secret Invader"
Featured Characters:

Haunted Tank
Lt. Jeb Stuart
Sgt. William Craig
Gus Gray
Rick Rawlins
Supporting Characters:

General J.E.B. Stuart
Unnamed Infantry Captain (Dies)
Villains:

Unnamed German soldiers
Other Characters:

General Philippe François Marie Leclerc de Hauteclocque (Mentioned only)
Unnamed American Infantry soldiers
Unnamed French Children
Unnamed Parisians
Locations:

Normandy, France
Paris, France
Items:

German PAK 44K Cannon
Panzerfeldhaubitze 105mm Howitzer
Vehicles:

The Haunted Tank
Brummbär Sturmpanzer tank
Panzerkampfwagen IV
Hotchkiss H35 French light tank
Char-B1 French heavy tank

"The Secret Invader"

With D-Day now behind them, the Haunted Tank is supporting the 28th Infantry Division on its march through the hedgerows of Normandy towards German-occupied Paris. Jeb is talking to a young Captain in the infantry, who tells him that as a farm boy he thought he'd never get the chance to see Paris, and that he had always dreamed of seeing Notre Dame. Jeb promises him that he'll get the chance. They are then surprised by an attack from the Germans, and the Captain is hit by an exploding shell and thrown from the side of the tank. Rick fires everything he's got into the Germans, destroying the cannons and ending the battle. With the Captain dead, Jeb has his men lash the man's body to the back of the tank. He is determined to keep his promise and take the Captain to Paris.

The Haunted Tank, along with the infantry, continue up the road towards Paris until they finally reach the outskirts of the city. The men are able to see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. But then, Jeb and the infantry receive orders that they are to halt and keep their positions to allow General Leclerc and his French 1st Armored Division to take Paris on their own, in order to boost French morale and pride. Jeb makes the decision to press on alone, to fulfill the promise he made to the Captain. Rick, Gus and Craig disagree with the decision, worried that it'll land them in the stockade, but obey Jeb's orders.

Jeb and the others believe that with the Germans ran out the whole city must be celebrating their liberation, but as the Haunted Tank enters the city of Paris they see the still-hanging swastika flag of the Nazis handing from the Arch. They realize that Leclerc and his men must have been delayed, and that they have just rolled into the middle of a still-German occupied Paris! They are shot at by German snipers from atop the Arch. Craig steps on the gas and speeds the tank down the Champs-Élysées, but the tank is caught in a crossfire. They then turn left down the nearest side street, only to find themselves greeted with cheers from the French citizens, who believe the whole army's came to liberate them. They hear gunfire in the area of the Eiffel Tower nearby and head towards it. Underneath, they find two French kids attacking a Sturmpanzer with homemade grenades and a hunting rifle. Craig steers the tank to position and Rick fires into the Sturmpanzer, destroying it before it has a chance to take down the kids. Grateful, the kids agree to lead the Haunted Tank to safety on the other side of the Seine. They head down the left bank of the river to a bridge near the Louvre, but are ambushed as they are crossing. They quickly destroy the PAK 44 cannon on the other side and cross the bridge. On the other side, Jeb spots the lowers of Notre Dame not far from them and orders Craig to head towards them.

They arrive at Notre Dame to the cheers and greetings of a mass of French citizens, who all believe that the Americans have arrived to liberate their city. One man explains to Jeb that the sounds of gunfire was the signal for the Resistance to rise up and attack the Germans openly. A French car speeding towards Notre Dame is destroyed by an approaching Panzer tank, and Jeb orders the Parisians to run for cover and let them deal with it. The citizens refuse, wishing to stand with the Americans and fight for their city. Jeb orders Craig away from the cathedral, not wanting to damage to landmark, and then when far enough away they open fire on the tank and destroy it. Another appears from around the corner and Rick destroys it before they have a chance to spot them. But the sounds of battle have alerted the Germans in the area, who send every tank and soldier they have to attack the Americans. Extremely outgunned, Jeb orders everyone to abandon the tank and run. They untie the Captain's body and carry him into Notre Dame, hoping to make their last stand at its gates. It looks like all hope is lost when suddenly a division of French tanks appear on the road and fight back the German troops. Finally General Leclerc's tanks have arrived!

With the battle finally over and Paris liberated, Jeb and the others bring the Capta

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Comments on this Artwork

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Ron S
Member Since 2007

Posted on 10/14/2018

Another great one.

Malcolm Bourne
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/14/2018

masterpiece from the master!!

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 10/14/2018

Nice!!!

Marc W
Member Since 2014

Posted on 10/14/2018

Such a fantastic Cover, thanks for sharing!

Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004

Posted on 10/15/2018

Great showcase of two classic Kubert touches: haunted expressions and weapons/artillery. And love the compressed composition of the image—lots of drama packed into a tight space. Congrats, it’s a great Kubert war example!

John C
Member Since 2014

Posted on 10/20/2018

Kubert knew war.

Jean Andre Macchini
Member Since 2006

Posted on 10/22/2018

Outstanding piece ! Congrats !

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