“Codename Warlord” – the lead strip of classic war comic Warlord – returns to comics later this month, in the pages of DC Thomson Media’s Commando comic… and the Dundee-based publisher is trailing the revival with online announcements – and a special package of promotional items sent out to key agents…
Commando presents Codename Warlord marks the return of beloved character Lord Peter Flint to comic pages for the first time in many years, with two stories due for release soon, written by lain McLaughlin with art by Manuel Benet, with covers by Ian Kennedy.
Published since 1961, Commando is Britain’s longest-running war comic, with over five thousands issues to its name. Unlike other DC Thomson titles. Commando has persevered almost unchanged since its first issues but now, something new comes to its pocket sized, black and white interiors pages.
Reminiscent of other DC Thomson mergers of the past – Bullet merging with Warlord, and Warlord merging with The Victor, Warlord comes to the pages of Commando, kicking off with the Britain’s top secret agent, Lord Peter Flint.
Last published in 1986, Lord Peter Flint headlined many issues of Warlord, from comics to codes, from letter pages to merchandise and a secret agent club. His latest interpretation is from prolific Commando writer lain McLaughlin, who has over 25 Commando issues, including two series, to his name in less than two years, and tackles the Warlord agent with ease.
“The first issue of Warlord came out on a week when I was off school with a stinker of a cold,” McLaughlin, who was a diehard fan of Flint growing up, recalls.
“My dad bought me this new comic to cheer me up a bit – and also so he could read it himself. I read that issue of Warlord and I was hooked. After that, I read every issue for the next six or seven years.
“A huge part of what kept me reading was ‘Codename Warlord’ with Lord Peter Flint. He was part James Bond, part Scarlet Pimpernel and completely brilliant. The scripts and the art came together to tell wonderful, gripping stories that stick in the memory even to this day.
“When I was asked to come up with ideas to bring Lord Peter Flint to the pages of Commando, I leaped at the chance. Flint is a fantastic character with so much potential for the kind of fantastic adventure stories Commando is famous for. I hope the readers have as much fun reading Flint’s return as I had writing it.”
What’s more, artist Manuel Benet was also a fan of ‘Codename Warlord’, and was delighted to take the mantel on.
“[Flint] is a hero I would like to work on,” he said when he was offered the job of depicting the spy.
His work will be topped off with an amazing wraparound cover by Ian Kennedy, who
also did some of the original covers for Warlord in its heyday.
Lord Peter Flint is just the first in a series of characters from the archive to be brought back in the pages of Commando by DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics – but we’re afraid that information is top secret… coded messages to follow.
• Commando Issues 5255. “Codename Warlord”, and 5263 “Codename Warlord: Ship of Fools” are out 22nd August and 19th September 2019 in select WHSmith stores or digitally via the Comixology or Readly apps. Alternatively, orders can be placed by emailing shop@dctmedia.co.uk
• Watch: Commando Editor Gordon Tait announces the return of Codename Warlord on Facebook
COMMANDO COMICS LINKS
• Official Commando Comics Site:www.commandocomics.com
• Don’t forget The Art of Ian Kennedy is available to order here on Amazon (Using this Affiliate Link helps support downthetubes, thank you)
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, downthetubes News