A while back I did an update on Sgt. Rock and I thought that I would finally do a followup with my absolute favorite comic - The Haunted Tank. It is after all the inspiration for my own online comic, Jeb Savage and the Haunted M5.
The Haunted Tank is a comic book feature that appeared in the DC Comics anthology war title G.I. Combat from 1961 through 1987. It was created by writer and editor Robert Kanigher and artist Russ Heath in G.I. Combat #87 (May 1961).
The feature centers on the ghost of 19th-century Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart, who is sent by the spirit of Alexander the Great to act as a guardian over his two namesakes, Lieutenant Jeb Stuart (named in the early stories as Jeb Stuart Smith, but eventually just shortened to Jeb Stuart) and the Light Tank M3 Stuart that Jeb commands.
“The Haunted Tank” was often the cover feature of G.I. Combat and was second only to Sgt. Rock as DC Comics’ longest-running war series.
An origin story in G.I. Combat #114 reveals that, at the time of the ghost’s arrival, Jeb is a sergeant in the United States Army who commands a Stuart tank fighting with the Allies in the North African Campaign. Jeb and his men are childhood friends who had volunteered for the cavalry when World War II began. The original crew consists of Jeb as tank commander; Arch Asher, loader; Rick Rawlins, gunner; and Slim Stryker, driver.
The ghost of General Stuart does not initially care for his assignment, but is impressed with the fighting spirit of Jeb and his crew. Jeb further honors the ghost by flying a Confederate rather than a Union flag on his “haunted” tank. Jeb, however, is the only one who can see or hear the General. His crew thinks he is crazy, but continue to follow his leadership as he has solid tactical expertise (brought about through his consultations with the General, who usually gives him cryptic hints of future events) and rarely fails in his missions.
More recently, DC has published a couple of their large anthology books, The Haunted Tank, Part 1 and Part 2, between the two books you get 1,000 pages of Haunted Tank comics, in black and white, but it is a fun read. Of course all of my favorites are drawn and penned by Joe Kubert (hey, I'm a purist).
A modern version of the Haunted Tank has also been done with an interesting twist that Jeb Stuart, modern tank commander is a black guy. He and the ghost has some interesting discussions. The format is a little more adult, definitely not aimed at kids and the background is the Iraq war. Interesting art and storyline, I can't say that I really recommend it however.
Most of you are familiar with my own take on the Haunted Tank. The series was composed of 12 large episodes, followed by a D-Day Saga that was probably equivalent in size to about five more episodes. I have been working at revising them into comic book format and have the first 9 episodes completed. Eventually, I hope to have all of them featured on Point Man's Privy. It all started with these wonderful comics from the folks at DC. I never get tired of that little Stuart tank, always on patrol, always in danger. That's all until next time, have a good one!
Most of you are familiar with my own take on the Haunted Tank. The series was composed of 12 large episodes, followed by a D-Day Saga that was probably equivalent in size to about five more episodes. I have been working at revising them into comic book format and have the first 9 episodes completed. Eventually, I hope to have all of them featured on Point Man's Privy. It all started with these wonderful comics from the folks at DC. I never get tired of that little Stuart tank, always on patrol, always in danger. That's all until next time, have a good one!
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