Great War story arc continues in new Commando tale

Commando 4723

 

DC Thomson’s Commando‘s ongoing Great War story arc, each story drawn by Keith Page, continues this month with “To Vimy… To Victory” this month.

“As a tribute to those who served during the years 1914-1918 — on the Home Front or at Front Line — Commando has produced a series of stories of characters caught up in the tumult of the First World War,” says Calum Laird, Commando Editor. “None of them are real people but we’d like to think that the experiences they have will not be a million miles from what actually happened to so many.

“Last month, tanks and flamethrowers were the perils our heroes faced. Now it is the very ground itself — from the mud to the ridge which dominated the battlefield. Added to this the Germans introduced shock troops — the Stormtroopers — who wrought havoc wherever they fought.

I hope you enjoy this and the other stories in the series as much as we have.”

The series continues in four weeks with “The Miners Of Messines”, Commando Number 4731.

Here’s the full details of the issues on sale in newsagents and also available digitally for iPad and iPhone…

A spread from Commando 4723. Script by George Low, art by Keith Page

A spread from Commando 4723. Script by George Low, art by Keith Page

 

Commando No 4723 – To Vimy…To Victory?
Story: George Low Art: Keith Page Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/17th-july-2014-collection?issue=4723

On the morning of the 28 June 1914 two pistol shots fired in a Sarajevo street had plunged the world into war and pitched men of all nations against one another.

Three years later, more and more soldiers were being dragged into the churning stalemate of the Western Front. Men from half a world away from France came to fight over her muddy battlefields,

This is the story of one of them, Canadian Rick Strang.

 

Commando 4724

 

Commando No 4724 – Dog Fight!
Originally Commando No 110 (March 1964), re-issued as No 627 (March 1972)
Story: Kellie Art: Sostres Cover: Ken Barr
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/17th-july-2014-collection?issue=4724

“Tally-Ho! Bandits!” That was the battle-cry of the British fighter pilot — the words the hunters in Spitfires shouted over their radio telephones when they had spotted German raiders.

That famous battle-cry meant that a dogfight was only a couple of heart beats away — and there was glory and medals to be won…and death to be faced.

“Tally-Ho! Bandits!”

RAF pilots wait for the Luftwaffe in Commando 4724. Art by Sostres.

RAF pilots wait for the Luftwaffe in Commando 4724. Art by Sostres.

 

“I think it’ll be safe to say that most of you reading this will never have flown a Spitfire nor indeed gone to war,” notes Calum of this re-presented tale. “So we aren’t in a position to judge how a real pilot in a real dogfight is going to react. However, having read this tale of battles above the ground (and, indeed, on it) you can’t help but feel it has the smack of authenticity and that makes it believable.

“As well as that, though, it’s principally a good story given form by some very harsh black-and-white work by artist Sostres. His high-contrast work suits the black-and-white world that fighter pilots inhabited, where decisions had to be made in an instant…and acted upon.

“The drama starts with Ken Barr’s stricken pilot cover and doesn’t let up until the last page. Just like the real thing.”

Commando 4725

 

Commando veteran Carlos Pino delivers the goods when it comes to aerial combat in this issue.

Commando veteran Carlos Pino delivers the goods when it comes to aerial combat in this issue.

 

Commando No 4725 – Samurai Ace
Story: George Low Art: Carlos Pino Cover: Carlos Pino
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/17th-july-2014-collection?issue=4725

“Tally-Ho! Bandits!” These might not have been the exact words on the lips of Lieutenant Azuma Takata’s lips when he threw his Nakajima Ki-43 fighter into a dogfight but the spirit of the warrior within him was exactly the same as that which drove the RAF men whose battle-cry it was.

What he never imagined that he would have to turn that fighting spirit against his own side to prove he was indeed a… SAMURAI ACE.

 

Commando 4726

 

Commando No 4726 – Ace Versus Ace
Originally Commando No 2282 (May 1989), re-issued as No 3843 (September 2005)
Story: Bernard Gregg Art: J.M. Jorge Cover: Jeff Bevan
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/17th-july-2014-collection?issue=4726

The two pilots were equally matched, both veterans of many vicious battles, both respected as the best in their squadrons.

In a duel to the death someone has to be the loser… But when both pilots clash above the desert, their battle does not go the way either expect!

 

Classic art from J.M. Jorge on this "Air Ace" tale, as rivals find themselves in the same predicament.

Classic art from J.M. Jorge on this “Air Ace” tale, as rivals find themselves in the same predicament.

 

“With ‘Ace Versus Ace’ we’re straight into a rollicking, classic Commando air story,” says Scott Montgomery, Commando Deputy Editor, of this re-presented story. “However — with an apology in advance for this spoiler — things swiftly change tack and then we’re straight into a rollicking, classic Commando desert story!

“That’s the beauty of our 63-page format — the space to develop and steer a tale into a different direction if need be.

“And, without a doubt, Messrs Gregg, Jorge and Bevan are all on top here with some fine words and pictures for you to enjoy.”


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

• Commando Collections: Checklist

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Art and covers featured © DC Thomson



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