Eagles of Battle back in latest Commando titles

By John Freeman on August 28, 2015

Here’s the low down on the latest issues of Commando on sale now in all good newsagents and available digitally in various formats. If you enjoy Commando, do check out our exclusive discounted subscription offer!

Commando No 4839 – Eagles of the Crimea
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-august-2015-collection?issue=4839

In the mid-19th Century, Adam Carrick, an American war correspondent with English ancestry, was at the frontline of the Crimean War. As British forces clashed with Russian infantry and cavalry, the young journalist stumbled upon a fascinating story — a long-standing rivalry between two British officers, one from the artillery and the other from a special Royal Engineers detachment.

Adam even discovered some distant relatives of his own and soon became caught up in the fighting itself. Although a non-combatant, it soon became clear that the reporter would have to fight to survive.

“With only a few notable exceptions — step forward the Convict Commandos — recurring characters have been rare on the pages of Commando over the last 50-odd years,” notes Scott Montgomery, Commando’s deputy editor. “However we were of the opinion that you, our readers, might like a series which carried the story over more than one issue. With the pen of Ferg Handley recruited to do the writing, we decided that a historical saga spanning many generations would hit the spot.

“Episode Ten sees the continuing story of three — entirely fictional — inter-linked families and now we find them in the thick of battle in the Crimean war.

“In this instalment, one main character is a war correspondent, rather than a soldier, which makes for a different tone and pace to previous episodes. However, it would seem that being part a family steeped in a unending legacy of war can only have one outcome…

We hope you enjoy this story and the journey to come.”

Commando No 4840 – Tank Buster
Story: Boutland Art: C.T. Rigby Cover: Ken Barr
First Published in Commando Issue 164
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-august-2015-collection?issue=4840

Two old tanks – two knocked-out Italian tanks whose guns still worked, and were trained on the prison camp fence – these and some vicious strands of barbed wire were what stood between a crowd of desperate British prisoners and freedom.

Captain Al Kelly and Lieutenant Pete Smith reckoned there was a fighting chance of escaping – and that was all these two desert fighters asked…

“This is a hard-hitting Commando yarn and no mistake,” Scott enthuses. “In the arid expanse of the North African desert, Captain Al Kelly, a non-nonsense Australian, has good reason to be mad at British Lieutenant Pete Smith — and a bitter clash ensues. But this vendetta is played out against a deadly backdrop — the battle for the war-torn port of Tobruk.

“Boutland’s script is taut, C.T. Rigby’s art is dynamic and Ken Barr’s font cover illustration is simply outstanding. I hope you agree.”

Commando No 4841 – Prisoner At War
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Morahin Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-august-2015-collection?issue=4841

When his P47 Thunderbolt was shot down over Sicily, Major Mike Dante of the USAAF was caught by some passing Italian infantrymen. However, when Italy surrendered to Allied forces soon after, this particular unit were having none of it. They decided to wage their own guerrilla war against a vicious German panzer grenadier squad who had killed one of their comrades.

Still technically a prisoner, Mike knew that a fierce battle lay ahead…one that he felt honour-bound to get involved in.

Commando No 4840 – Suicide Run
Story: R.A. Montague Art: Keith Shone Cover: Jeff Bevan
First published in Commando Issue 2406
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-august-2015-collection?issue=4842

Bleak Point – a training area for Captain Jake Baron and his Royal Marine crews of high-speed launches packed with explosives. There they learned the perils of mechanical failure, rough seas, bad weather — and how to tackle enemy defences. They began to think, though, that the biggest danger came from their hosts and rivals — the Royal Navy!

“This great sea tale has a lot going for it,” says Scott. “At a secret base in a remote part of Scotland, a tough Commando Captain and his squad embark on their most hazardous task yet — piloting powerful experimental boats packed with explosives in the bows, ready to take out enemy targets on a one-way trip basis. Throw in a rivalry with the unit’s Royal Navy commander and writer R.A. Montague’s story soon speeds towards a thrilling conclusion.

“It’s nicely illustrated by Keith Shone, who, luckily, can draw explosions well — as there are lots of them throughout the 63 interior pages. An atmospheric cover by sea artist extraordinaire Jeff Bevan finishes things off perfectly.”

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• Commando Collections: Our Checklist

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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.