COMIC: Fantastic Forces - The Longest Road

The true story of a British Army soldier has now been immortalized in a comic. In breathtakingly dramatic artworks, „Fantastic Forces - The Longest Road“ tells the story of Desert Rat Corporal William 'Bill' Livingston in a visually inspiring and stunningly creative artwork as part of a memorial project by artists known for their previous work with comic legends Marvel and DC Thomson.

The story of Cpl Livingston, created in a project by BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) to raise public awareness of the fantastic work and sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces in the last century, is revealed on forces.net/stories and can be viewed in stunning graphic detail HERE.

BFBS, which provides media services for the British armed forces worldwide, invited people from around the world to share their stories about former or current British military personnel who have inspired them.

The contest for the winner was judged by an expert jury.

There were some very moving entries from real-life superheroes, but one story shone above all others; that of Phillip Livingstone about his father William, who served in World War II.

His story was researched and told by renowned writer Ferg Handley, who has been writing military-themed comics for 20 years.

The pages were illustrated by Mike Collins, who has been drawing for Marvel Comics since the 1980s, with titles like Spider-Man, Transformers, and Doctor Who. He has also worked with DC Comics on major titles like Batman and Superman.

The 24-page Fantastic Forces comic tells the story of a young man, William 'Bill' Livingston, who in the summer of 1939, as Britain stood on the brink of war, joined the 5th Royal Tank Regiment.

He was underage at the time, but this went unnoticed until he was transferred to North Africa, where he joined the 7th Armoured Division, better known as the 'Desert Rats'.

After the defeat of the Afrika Korps, he served in Italy before participating in the liberation of France and the Netherlands, followed by the invasion of Germany.

Bill, a truck driver, lost many friends in the war and narrowly escaped death multiple times.

He was present at the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and remained a soldier until the final victory of the Allies in 1945.

This unique, inspiring, and often gripping comic story perfectly captures the experience of an unknown hero who bravely endured war side by side with his regiment. He never gave up, despite all the horrors surrounding him.

His son Phillip Livingstone, whose last name has a slightly different spelling than his father's due to a family tradition, submitted his father's compelling story for the contest:

"I am thrilled that my father's story was chosen by BFBS to be turned into a comic book. He was such a strong man, and I find his story very inspiring."

"He was so young when he joined the army, and I am still amazed that he continued to fight despite everything thrown at him. Now told as a comic, I hope his story can motivate other young people to persevere through tough times."

Simon Bucks, CEO of SSVC, said: „I am very proud to stand behind this innovative way of telling a remarkable story about a real soldier. It is a testament to the courage and heroism of all our servicemen and women, past, present, and future, and a brilliant way to underline why the armed forces continue to offer an unparalleled career opportunity.“

HERE is the link to the comic.

FORCES NETWORK online: www.forces.net