2000AD Script Droid Kek-W Defects to Commando, Convict Commandos Back in Action!

By John Freeman on September 24, 2015

Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s pocket library war comic Commando (Issues 4847-4850), on sale today in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms.

Good news this week is that the Convict Commandos are back in action, scripted by former Battle writer Alan Hebden, with cracking art from Valencia-based Manuel Benet, making one of his occasional returns to the title.

Of interest to 2000AD fans will be the defection scriptdroid Kek-W (Nigel Long) to Commando… Will The Mighty One be sending Mek-Quake north to retrieve him? Will DCT have to increase security at Kingsway?

Commando No 4847 — Nature Of The Beast
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Manuel Benet Cover: Manuel Benet
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-september-2015-collection?issue=4847

The Convict Commandos had been on many dangerous missions as the War raged on. Now it looked as if their latest adventure could turn out to be their last.
“Jelly’” Jakes wasn’t just an expert safecracker — he was an expert coward too! The quivering little man had become a vital part of a scheme to halt an insidious enemy threat — one that could undermine the Allies’ efforts to win the War. Jelly and the rest of the team would have to uncover… THE NATURE OF THE BEAST!

Commando No 4848 — Stand And Fight

Originally Commando No 467 (April 1970), re-issued as No 1343 (August 1979)
Story: N. Allen Art: Gordon Livingstone Cover: Gordon Livingstone
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-september-2015-collection?issue=484

Perched high among the girders of the bridge spanning the jungle river, Private Dan Neal carefully aimed at the explosives charge lashed to the bridge supports. He knew that if this bridge wasn’t blown, the Japanese would pour over it, massacring any British troops who stood in their way. And if it was blown up, Dan knew he would go sky high with it.

His trigger finger took the first pressure, then began the slow steady squeeze…

“Down through the decades that Commando has been published, perceived cowardice has long been a recurring, but thankfully not over-used, plot motif.”” Notes Commando’s Scott Montgomery. “Indeed, one of our Silver Collection titles from earlier this month, ‘Day Of Shame‘ (No 4846) also had a similar theme but was completely different to this story.

“In my opinion, ‘Stand And Fight’ is a memorable tale because – apart from Gordon Livingstone’s typically wonderful art and cover – the main character, Private Dan Neal, appears to be a rare Commando anti-hero. Flawed, secretive, morally ambiguous, as readers we’re not quite sure if we even like him. Right away that gives this adventure an edge. Adding a duplicitous enemy prisoner and a loyal, ice-cool Ghurkha to the mix makes it edgier still.”

Commando No 4849 — Charge… Or Die!
Story: Kek-W Art: Vicente Alcazar Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-september-2015-collection?issue=4849

They were an unlikely force…an infantryman, a cavalry officer and a mechanic. Yet, when they put their petty squabbles aside this irregular Polish ‘unit’ were a force to be reckoned with.

After Germany’s lightning-fast invasion of Poland, these three misfits were determined to fight back.

Yes, indeed, they were an unlikely force… but one which, against the odds, still managed to strike fear into the hearts of the invading enemy.

Commando No 4850 — King Of The Sky
Originally Commando No 2400 (August 1990)
Story: Bernard Gregg Art: Terry Patrick Cover: Mike Cox
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-september-2015-collection?issue=4850

They twisted and turned all over the sky, the two pilots trying to pull every trick in the book to be the one who drilled in the final killing burst.

This was no ordinary dog-fight…for both aircraft carried the colours of the Royal Air Force. Something very odd was going on to have a Spitfire duelling savagely with a Mosquito…

“Compared to our Gold Collection banner of re-issues, which were originally published 50 years ago, ‘King Of The Sky’ is practically a young whipper-snapper of a book, what with being a mere quarter of a century old,” notes Scott of this reprint tale. “However, at its core is a charmingly simple but effective premise that means it wouldn’t look out of place in the Gold Collection either.

“A ruthless Nazi pilot breaks out of a British POW camp and will stop at nothing to get back to the Fatherland and continue the War, pursued by an RAF man determined to catch him. It’s a classic scenario and still remains an enjoyable read.”

Thanks to Jeremy Briggs for additional information in this report

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

• 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.