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George Low and Keith Page continue World War One Commando series

By John Freeman on April 10, 2014

Here’s the rundown of the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando, on sale from today in all good newsagents and for iPad and iPhone. Writer George Low’s epic World War One story – a loosely connected series that doesn’t require reading every issue to follow it – continues, with some terrific art by the great Keith Page. Pluse, there’s another cracking re-presented story written by the great Alan Hebden, who was a longtime contributor to Battle.

Commando No 4695 – ANZAC Cove
Story: George Low Art: Keith Page Cover: Ian Kennedy

On the morning of the 28 June 1914, two pistol shots fired in a Sarajevo street would plunge the world into the most destructive war it had ever known as a spider’s web of alliances set Great Power against Great Power.

In the far corners of the British Empire, men flocked to the flag, ready to do their bit in the European war. For the blokes of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, though, it wasn’t France they ended up in, it was a place called Gallipoli and a particular spot always mentioned when tales of bravery are told… Anzac Cove!

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/10th-april-2014-collection?issue=4695

Commando No 4696 – Sudden Death!
Originally Commando No 114 (April 1964), re-issued as No 631 (March 1972)
Story: Parsons Art: Solbes Cover: Ken Barr

Mountain men — each one of them — a sergeant, a corporal and a private, all trained for war, but each a highly skilled mountaineer in his own right.

Their difficult and dangerous mission was to find a VIP Brigadier who had been kidnapped by the Germans and hidden high in the Italian mountains before being hustled to Berlin. Within hours the British mountain troops were hot on the trail.

But when men who climb together fall out, when accidents breed suspicion and distrust, every sheer rock face can spell — sudden death!

“If there’s one thing that the 63-page format and our style of story-telling allows, it’s plenty of twists and turns in our plots,” notes Calum Laird, Commando’s editor. “But this one is about mountaineers – so why is there a floatplane on the cover?

“A cracking cover it is too. Ken Barr’s use of light and shade to lead the eye to the main characters lifts it from good to great. Inside artist Solbes isn’t found wanting either; the faces in here are full of expression, the figures full of energy and movement.

“The explanation for the floatplane? Ah well, you’ll have to read this book to find out. And preferably buy it too!”

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/10th-april-2014-collection?issue=4696

Commando No 4697 – Desert Heroes
Story: George Low Art: Jaume Forns Cover: Janek Matysiak

Somewhere in the Horn Of Africa, three Italian tanks bore down on a single British two-pounder gun. behind that gun’s shield were three soldiers who had only every fired an anti-tank gun in practice… for an emergency.

Well, this was that emergency and those men were not going to back down.

No wonder they called these men… DESERT HEROES

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/10th-april-2014-collection?issue=4697

Commando No 4698 – Rescue Mission
Originally Commando No 970 (September 1975), re-issued as No 2300 (August 1989)
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Gordon Livingstone Cover: Ian Kennedy

Nigel Goodman of the Commandos had a big problem on his hands. In fact he had several problems. They were: three Allied generals, one German general, one Russian paratroop major, one major in the US Rangers. Quite a party! And he had to get them all safely to British lines in Italy.

Oh, yes, there was one other thing — he had a large chunk of the German army chasing him as well!

“One of Commando’s great strengths is the diversity of its story-telling — although, of course, we’re mainly known for tough, sometimes gritty, war tales,” notes Scott Montgomery of this re-presented story. “On occasion, however, it can be a welcome change of direction when an author – here veteran scribe Alan Hebden — presents a breathless caper story such as this.

“The pace just never lets up, rather like a speeding train — which, as you’ll soon see, is entirely appropriate. Featuring wonderful art from Gordon Livingstone and a superb cover from Ian Kennedy, this is one to savour.

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/10th-april-2014-collection?issue=4698

• There are more details of Commando on the official Commando website, the Commando Facebook page

• Commando Collections: Checklist

DOWNTHETUBES EXCLUSIVE COMMANDO SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

If you’re looking for a gift for a British comics fan, downthetubes has an EXCLUSIVE discount on a subscription to DC Thomson’s Commando comic, simply by ordering through the DC Thomson Online Shop using our special discount code.

• Follow this dedicated link to DC Thomson’s Commando subscription page

Some of our readers reported problems with the link recently, but the technical team at DC Thomson have now fixed things – so if you follow the link above, the discount is automatically applied – you do NOT need to enter the COMDT promotional code. Ignore the discount field on the check out page, too.

• More information on our dedicated Commando Subscription Offer Page

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.