Brand new Commando (Issues 5331 – 5334) are on sale from today, in print and digital.
This set offers special issues commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Dunkirk retreat – and 80 years since the formation of the Home Guard… and the Commando team has hinted at more anniversary issues to come in the next few months.
Publishing since 1961, Commando remains focused on stories of action and adventure as a source of entertainment and light relief for readers, who love the comic’s tales of camaraderie and strength in the face of adversity.
Britain’s longest-serving war comic, has continued to entertain loyal readers over the past two months, despite the current Coronavirus Pandemic and associated lockdown. With all of the team and artists working from home, it has taken extra effort to publish and distribute new issues every fortnight.
As regular readers know, some of Commando’s illustrators are also from overseas, including Spain and Italy. Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in both countries, the artists are in good spirits, and have met every deadline for their work.
“I don’t want to complain too much,” says Italian artist Paolo Ongaro, whose art features in Commando 5331, out this week. “I’m one of the lucky ones – I get to spend the days in my studio and continue my work on Commando which is a passion for me.”
Commando 5331: Home of Heroes: Flight from Tomorrow
Story: Adrian Tchaikovsky | Art: Paolo Ongaro | Cover: Ian Kennedy
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Forget Dungeons and Dragons – try Dunkirk and Dragons! From Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning writer Adrian Tchaikovsky comes a Commando like never before! To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the events leading up to Dunkirk, “Flight from Tomorrow” not only tells the story of Captain Dougal McKerr and his men caught up in the retreat, but the strange tale of the mysterious Mary, and a group of orphans trying to escape not just from the Nazis – but from another time entirely!
Writer Adrian Tchaikovsky is the author of the acclaimed Shadows of the Apt fantasy series. In civilian life, he is a lawyer, gamer and amateur entomologist.
His new novella, Firewalkers, was released this week, a story set in a climate-ravaged future. “It was a book that (like it’s kindred spirit, Ironclads) has become more relevant since its writing,” he notes, “which when you’re doing dystopias is always a mixed blessing…”
Commando 5332: Gold Collection: Zero Feet
Story: Kellie | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Ken Barr
Originally Commando No. 82 (1963)
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Some pilots were born brave, fearless flyers who chased Nazi pilots like a hawk would a pigeon – these pilots were the hunters. Other pilots, like Jimmy Daiken, were the hunted. They were like foals taking their first steps – if their first step happened to be flying high up in the clouds!
Jimmy’s squadron leader didn’t think he had it in him to be a hunter, but Jimmy was about to prove him wrong, even if it meant he had to fly at zero feet!
Commando 5333: Action and Adventure: The Midnight Mob
Story: Stephen Walsh | Art: Jaume Forns | Cover: Neil Roberts
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
80 years ago, after the ruckus at Dunkirk, a new outfit was formed in Britain. This bunch took the men who didn’t make it into the army and turned them into a mob designed to protect Blighty’s shores.
At first, they were called the “Local Defence Volunteers”, until old Churchill told them to change it to what wenow know them as – The Home Guard!
But what happens when the Home Guard have to deal with a Nazi rocket man and a bunch of crack German troops? Well, you’d get the events of our Home Guard special “The Midnight Mob”!
Commando 5334: Silver Collection: Traitor Planes
Story: Bill Fear | Art: Jose Maria Jorge | Cover: K Walker
Originally Commando No. 1537 (1981)
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
“One of our own kites is shooting at us!”
That’s what Dave Roberts heard his tail gunner yell before their Lancaster was hit badly. Forced to bail out over enemy territory, Dave would have to wait a while to report what he heard – if he could escape from a prisoner camp and find his way back to Britain first!
Another classic silver reprint Commando tale from Bill Fear with spectacular interior artwork from fan favourite Jose Maria Jorge!
Read “Red Snow” for free!
Don’t forget that if you’ve never read a copy of Commando, or read one recently, you can sample an entire issue for free, on the title’s official web site, or direct from this link. The issue is readable on all devices.
As we previously reported, this special digital edition of “Red Snow”, which sees German and Russian soldiers trapped by a blizzard on the Russian steppes outside Stalingrad, also includes a three-page cover gallery showcasing 12 Commando covers – and a specially made montage of interior artwork by Manuel Benet.
“In true Commando spirit, the team and contributors have responded well to current circumstances,” says Alexandria Turner, Editor-in-Chief of Children’s’ Magazines and Comics at DC Thomson Media.
“The special digital edition offers Commando readers, and comic fans, an opportunity to enjoy our stories in a different medium, ensuring we continue to entertain during these uncertain times.”
• Read “Red Snow” (Commando No. 5309, released earlier this year) for free here
Red Snow is written by Jason Cobley, with art by Morhain & Defo, with a cover by Neil Roberts
• Official Commando Comics Site: www.commandocomics.com
• Get global action and adventure delivered right to your door when you subscribe to Commando – or subscribe for digital copies here
• Don’t forget The Art of Ian Kennedy is also available to order here on Amazon (Using this Affiliate Link helps support downthetubes, thank you)
COMMANDO ISSUES 5331-5334 FULL COVER GALLERY
• Official Commando Comics Site: www.commandocomics.com
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.
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I don’t understand why they get Adrian Tchaikovsky to write a book then don’t shout from the roof tops about it, you’d have thought their twitter would be going about it and they’d have his name on the front or something. I’m wondering if there’s other interesting guest writers or artists I’ve not noticed. Anyway instant bought that book!
Thriller writer James Swallow has also written two Commando titles – “Edge of the Sky“, published in 2019 details here, available digitally here, and “Fog of War”, released in January, details here, available digitally here. In normal times Adrian’s new Commando would have been given the full promotional treatment, I’m sure – but these are not normal times.
Cheers John, picked them up too. I’d just have thought during covid when traditional sales might be dropping (the papers are certainly taking a hit) that it’d be a good time to get message out. I’ll certainly be checking out Commando original material going forward!