The Variant Commander Mail Away SteveD Theory!!!

[Thundershot]

Thought I'd found a Space Force one.. but no.. I was just looking from the front.

it's an (English language) Space Pilot card back with a white on black "Look out for the new Battle Action Force comic on sale now!" sticker placed very neatly over the standard printed black on white "Look out for the exciting Action Force comic on sale" flash.

Looks like the label was applied before the bubble (which has been neatly removed) was attached, as part
of the sticker is under the edge of the bubble.

It's still got its original price ticket on too... Woolworth £1.89... so I'm guessing it's an early example of a Space Force card?

[Thundershot]

Pictures save me a thousand words:

[SteveD]

Aye - that's an early space force alright, but it's not as early as the variant layout! Notice how it says "on sale now" rather than expressly referencing July and August. I reckon by the time the Battle had become Battle Action Force the space and q had joined the ranks. Meaning SAS, Z and Enwmy were early summer.

[Chopper]

Sounds feasible. Wasn't Space and Q in the early stories too, though? Maybe they were based on prototypes in Battle.

[SteveD]

They were indeed chopper. Which makes me think this theory works even more. If you recall there were prototypes photographed for the trade cats and then drawn in the comics. Certainly cosmic cruiser and swordfish. Yet in the SAS, and z ranges certainly it was all I initially either Joe reprints, or series 1 retooled?

So, space and q took a while longer to be ready. And by that stage the cardback layouts had been revised to the versions we know best with the commander in the right hand side.

[Chopper]

I would also point out that some early covers had drawings of what appeared to be Space Force prototypes, Kiwi for example.

[SteveD]

eBay item 252160299650

[Coosbay_pirate]

I've 8 figures with these cards, they are

Baron
SAS Commando
SAS Frogman
SAS Pilot
SAS Squad Leader
Z Captain
Z Infantry Man
Z Sapper

In keeping with the theory these were the earliest first released and Q and Space followed.

[Coosbay_pirate]

My Wheels is also on this card

I've a black gloved Shad but I'll need to check the card... Collection is packed away at present.

[Coosbay_pirate]

Update.. Found a photo and the Shad black gloves is on this card too.