Here’s the run down on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4803-4806), on sale now in all good newsagents and digital editions. Sorry for the delayed intel this week.
This latest batch of war comics includes a re-presented tale drawn by Argentinian artist Alberto Saichan, who only drew a handful of Commandos but was also an artist on the fondly-remembered DC Thomson 1980s SF comic, Starblazer. He’s perhaps better known for his work for US publisher such as Continuity, where he drew strips for titles such as Armor and Hybrids: Deathwatch 2000 and pencils for Marvel’s The ‘Nam and Punisher: Return to the Big Nothing and Punisher War Zone and the licensed children’s comic Gargoyles. He’s been affiliated with the Duendes Del Sur studios since the early 1990s, working on Disney, Warner Bros and Cartoon Network comics and is represented in the UK by Beehive Illustration.
Commando No 4803 – The Deadly Waters
Story: George Low Art: Vila Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-april-2015-collection?issue=4803
When German forces invaded the Netherlands in 1940, Dutch Army Lieutenants Dirk Dreise and Ruud Aaker fought in the front line. The campaign went against them, though, forcing them to escape to England where they were assigned to clandestine intelligence work.
Eventually the tide of war turned and in 1944 they were back in their homeland, determined to throw the invaders out. For them, the fighting raged not in the air or on land but on the waters of the flooded polders.
Commando No 4804 – Tough Guy
Originally Commando No 149 (January 1965), re-issued as No 743 (May 1973)
Story: Kenner Art: Victor De La Fuente Cover: Scholler
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-april-2015-collection?issue=4804
Joe Brady was as tough as the Liverpool slums that had bred him — and, boy, he could hate!
The many Nazis he met knew the cold ferocity which blazed in his eyes as he swept into battle, but they could tell no one.
For dead men tell no tales…
“Some of you may wonder how we choose which titles to let you read again,” notes Calum Laird, Commando Editor. “Well, there are loads of different reasons but, it the case of this story, one trumps all others. It was drawn by Victor De La Fuente and, as far as I’m concerned, any excuse to let you see his magnificent art is good enough. I grew up reading Commando stories and his illustrations never let me down, combining accuracy, aggression and activity in every frame.
“Victor’s style influenced many other artists, and at least one reader, to get involved in comics. Thanks, Victor.”
Commando No 4805 – Brothers in Danger
Story: Kris Roberts Art: Morahin Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-april-2015-collection?issue=4805
Canadian sniper Michel Caron had been recruited by Gabe Dubois, his adopted brother, for a special mission that required expert, high-precision shooting.
In the bombed-out ruins of Caen in Northern France, death lurked in every shadow — and the brothers soon realised that both of them would have to be ready to sacrifice anything, even their own lives, to complete their deadly task…
Commando No 4806 – Secret of The Alps
Originally No 2343 (January 1990), re-issued as Commando No 3947 (October 2006).
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Saichan Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-april-2015-collection?issue=4806
All it took was one shot from a flare pistol to bring the entire German armoured column to a chaotic standstill.
There was no shock wave, no heat blast…just a silent explosion of brilliant light that blinded every pair of eyes within a mile. Even inside tanks there was no protection from this unearthly glare, this terrible – Secret Of The Alps…
“Saichan — responsible for the inside art here — drew 13 Commandos in total,” Calum reports. “Well, not quite, his final book (Unlucky 13) had to be finished by another artist. The reasons are lost in the mists of time, but it wasn’t due to lack of quality for his style — though quirky, and cartoon-ish in places — is certainly effective.
“The story is classic Alan Hebden, a man well known for intricate plotting and (just) believable secret weapons. He was on his game for this one!
“Saichan’s Unlucky 13, by the way, featured some of Commando’s early recurring characters — The Bomb Gang. This story is as explosive as any of theirs.”
• There are more details of Commando on the official Commando website, the Commando Facebook page
• Commando Collections: Our Checklist
Don’t Miss Out on our 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.
If you follow the link above, the discount is automatically applied – you do NOT need to enter the old DTT “COMDT” promotional code. Ignore the discount field on the check out page, too.
Commando Digital Editions
- Available on the App Store for Apple devices
- Available on Comixology
- Available on Readly
- Android App on Google Play
- Available on Kindle
- Available as browser edition
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.
Categories: British Comics, downthetubes Comics News
Pirates and perfidious treachery on offer in new Commando comics! 
Sonic the Hedgehog magazine in the works from Story House Egmont and SEGA Europe 
Beano No. 1 record sale lands world record price for a British comic at auction 
All change at 2000AD for all-out war!
I notice DC Thomson are building up a nice collection on Comixology, lots of Commandos available, also have Dennis and Gnasher, The Broons and what I’m most excited by is the retro classic section with best of annuals and recently “The Tough of the Track”