Tons of Motor Torpedo Boat action, a Gloster Gladiator duelling Messerschmitts, a risky attack on a U-boat base during an eclipse, and the triumphant return of Ramsey’s Raiders! There’s all this and more to enjoy in brand new Commando issues 5195 – 5198, out this Thursday (24th January 2019) in all good newsagents and various digital platforms. Plus there’s great news about a new artist-focused book from DC Thomson…
Plus – while the Commando team recently hinted, it seemed, at some kind of Starblazer project under consideration at DC Thomson, presumably reprinting stories from the much-missed SF picket library title, we’ve yet to hear anything more.
But former Commando editor Calum Laird has revealed he’s been working on a new book celebrating the art of the brilliant Ian Kennedy, out very soon.
More details when we get them, but initially we suggest keeping an eye on the book section of the DC Thomson Online Shop, where such books usually appear first.
Commando 5195: Home of Heroes: Spitfires of the Sea
Story: Iain McLaughlin | Art: Morhain & Defeo | Cover: Janek Matysiak
“Get the kettle on, Dawes!” Not for all the tea in China did Able Seaman John Dawes want to be posted to a Motor Torpedo Boat! But he would soon find out why those little boats were so important to the war! Iain McLaughlin spins a tale that the Commando Editor calls a very classic Commando yarn in ‘Spitfires of the Sea’, with everything a good comic needs – action, drama, and a nice warm cuppa!
Commando 5196: Gold Collection: The Flying Fox
Story: Brunt | Art: Terry Patrick | Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 495 (August 1970)
You may be asking why the Gloster Gladiator on Ian Kennedy’s fantastic fiery cover has six guns… because of the Flying Fox, that’s why! Brian Fox was known as the Flying Fox before a horrible accident nearly ruined his pilot career. Now a stationed on a small island in Greece, he’s harassing Italians and German pilots with his modified museum piece!
Commando 5197: Action and Adventure: Ramsey’s Raiders: Race Against Time
Story: Ferg Handley | Art: Keith Page | Cover: Ian Kennedy
You may have seen the full-colour Ramsey’s Raiders graphic novel, but for the first time since 2015 Ferg Handley’s Ramsey’s Raiders return in a brand-new adventure in the bi-weekly Commando comics!
This time the ragtag team of mavericks are on the trail of a deadly nerve agent developed by Nazi scientists to turn the tide of the war!
The race is on for the Raiders to stop them!
Commando 5198: Silver Collection: Operation Eclipse
Story: Alan Hebden | Art: Dennis McLoughlin | Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 2758 (May 1994)
Finishing off the trifecta of stunning Ian Kennedy covers in this set of Commandos is ‘Operation Eclipse’. Alan Hebden’s unusual plot follows an attack on Germany’s strongest U-boat in Norway – during an eclipse!
But with a cowardly captain commanding a crew of convicts, will the operation go off without a hitch?
You’ll have to read it to find out!
• Commando Comics are available to buy and request in WHSmith, Easons and all good local newsagents
• Commando Ramsey’s Raiders Classic Stories – Commando Comics is available here on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Print and digital subscriptions are available worldwide, and can be bought through the DC Thomson website
• The DC Thomson online shop offers both Commando cover prints and T-Shirts
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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: Art and Illustration, British Comics, British Comics - Collections, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News